Sindh High Court Orders Reversal of X Platform Suspension
In a significant development, the Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Ministry of Interior to retract its decision to suspend the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, within one week. The decision came during a hearing of multiple petitions challenging the platform’s suspension, where SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi questioned the rationale behind the government’s move.
During the hearing, the PTA defended its actions, citing national security considerations as the primary motive behind the suspension.
Chief Justice Abbasi expressed skepticism over the suspension, criticizing the government’s approach to curbing access to social media platforms. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach, noting that shutting down such platforms could lead to ridicule on the global stage.
X, a widely used platform among millions of Pakistanis, has remained inaccessible since February due to the government’s concerns regarding national security threats. The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) previously stated that the platform was blocked based on directives from the Ministry of Interior and intelligence agencies.
During the hearing, the PTA defended its actions, citing national security considerations as the primary motive behind the suspension. However, Chief Justice Abbasi raised doubts about the legality of the interior ministry’s actions, highlighting that the law does not empower it to act solely based on intelligence reports.
The petitioner’s lawyer underscored that the use of X and other social media platforms does not pose a direct threat to national security, questioning the justification behind the suspension.
In response to the court’s directives, the Ministry of Interior has been given until May 9 to provide reasons for the platform’s suspension. The SHC warned that it would issue orders if the ministry fails to withdraw its directives by the stipulated deadline.
The decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the suspension of X, underscoring the judiciary’s role in safeguarding freedom of expression while addressing legitimate security concerns. Stay tuned for further updates as the case unfolds.
