Debate Over Social Media Platform 'X' Restoration Continues in Sindh High Court

Conflicting statements on the restoration of social media platform X were presented in Sindh High Court. Lawyers from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority provided differing accounts, with a hearing postponed for two weeks for clarification. The case involves multiple petitions challenging the ban on X and the suspension of mobile internet services.

The Sindh High Court on Tuesday witnessed conflicting testimonies from lawyers representing the telecom regulator, regarding the restoration status of social media platform X. Chief Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Omar Sial led the hearing addressing petitions against the suspension of mobile, internet services, and the X platform ban since February.

At the onset, PTA lawyer Ahsan Imam Rizvi claimed that the ban was lifted, while Abdul Moiz Jaferii contended that X was still inaccessible. The judges questioned if lifting the ban equated to restored access, which Saad Siddiqui, another PTA lawyer, could not confirm. The noted discrepancy led the bench to defer the case for two weeks pending clarification.

Petitioner's lawyer Jaferii commented post-hearing that X remained blocked, and the PTA's claim would be scrutinized in the next session. The court is evaluating several petitions from journalists and academics advocating for X's restoration, including lawyer Jibran Nasir's plea against mobile internet suspension on election day.

Per Dawn, similar petitions by the Public Interest Law Association and others were filed last year. On Thursday, the IT minister informed the Senate that the interior ministry directed the PTA to block X, using the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja mentioned the PTA's web management system enforces such directives to curb illicit traffic and content, also noting VPN usage to bypass bans.

(With inputs from agencies.)