ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan High Court on Wednesday ordered the government to restore social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, within a week.
During the hearing today, the Ministry of Interior submitted a report before the Sindh High Court in the petition against the suspension of social media platform X.
The Ministry of Interior requested the signal-member bench of the SHC to dismiss the petition against the closure of the X as no fundamental right of the petitioner has been deprived and that the decision to shut down X was taken to maintain national security and law and order situation.
It is further held that the application against the X suspension is contrary to law and facts and therefore not admissible. The X is neither registered in Pakistan nor is it a party to the agreement to abide by the laws of Pakistan, the report stated.
The petitioner’s lawyer said using X and other social media platforms does not lead to “blasts”.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi ordered the interior ministry to restore social media platform X within seven days.
The social media platform has seen limited accessibility since February 17. Pakistan’s communications authority, in court documents, conceded to being instructed by the Interior Ministry to suspend the platform.
“The Sindh High Court has granted the government a one-week period to retract the directive. Should they fail to comply, the court will make necessary rulings at the next hearing,” Moiz Jaaferi, a lawyer contesting the ban, informed AFP.
Last month, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) told the court that it blocked the social media platform after receiving directions from the Ministry of Interior.
