LHC summons govt, PTA representatives at next hearing over internet disruptions – Pakistan

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday summoned representatives from the federal government, the information ministry and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) on August 21 over the issue of countrywide internet disruptions.

Major online platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp have been hit hard since last week with users reporting slowdowns and difficulties in accessing messaging and social media applications.

After months of speculation about the installation of a so-called ‘firewall’ that could be leading to internet disruptions, the country’s IT minister finally confirmed a day ago that the government was indeed upgrading its “web management system” to cope with cyber security threats.

Justice Shakil Ahmad took up a petition yesterday, filed the day before by Advocate Muhammad Nadeem, which had asked that the “internet shutdowns” be declared unconstitutional.

The federal government — through the law and information ministries as well as the cabinet division secretary — along with the PTA chairman were named as respondents in the case.

During yesterday’s hearing, the judge had grilled the state counsel for his lack of “knowledge” and seriousness in the matter, and had reserved his verdict on the petition.

Issuing the reserved verdict today, Justice Ahmad ordered that representatives of all the respondents in the case should ensure their attendance in the next hearing.

The judge summoned one representative each from the federal government, the Ministry of Information and the PTA at the next hearing on August 21.

He also sought responses from all parties on the matter.

More to follow