PTA Clarifies Social Media Ban: Miscommunication or Policy?

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) that the suspension of social media platform X remains active. Miscommunication led to a false statement about the notification's withdrawal. A PTA attorney clarified the situation, leading to a postponed hearing.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) updated the Sindh High Court (SHC) on the status of social media platform X, confirming that its services remain suspended in Pakistan. According to ARY News, PTA Director of Law Ali Akbar clarified that a miscommunication had resulted in a false statement about the service's reinstatement on September 12.

Ali Akbar further revealed that another case, heard by the same bench, involved the withdrawal of a notification related to the establishment of a Steering Committee. He requested the court to either revoke or amend its previous written order concerning the matter.

Earlier, PTA's attorney Ahsan Imam informed the court that the body had withheld its notice regarding the suspension of X services, previously known as Twitter. Upon inquiry from the SHC about the authority's stance on the ban, the PTA attorney promptly provided a response. Consequently, the court adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

On April 17, the SHC had mandated the Ministry of Interior to withdraw its letter concerning Twitter's suspension within a week, as reported by ANI.

(With inputs from agencies.)