LHC Orders Govt and PTA to Respond on Internet Disruptions at Next Hearing that affecting users across the country. Justice Shakil Ahmad, while hearing a petition filed by Noman Sarwar against the internet “shutdown,” issued the ruling. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 21, 2024 instructing all parties to ensure their representatives are present.
This directive comes as millions of people continue to face difficulties in accessing the internet, particularly mobile data, due to limited connectivity. The government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has attributed the issue to the testing of an internet firewall aimed at regulating social media content.
The petition names several respondents, including the federal government, PTA, and various ministry officials, and demands the immediate restoration of internet services. It argues that the shutdown violates fundamental rights and disrupts businesses and daily life.
Justice Shakil Ahmad expressed dissatisfaction with the state counsel’s handling of the case, criticizing their lack of seriousness and knowledge regarding the internet disruptions.
The government’s decision to implement the internet firewall has sparked criticism for its potential economic impact. The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan has warned that online businesses are struggling to operate, while the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) noted that frequent internet disruptions could hinder the development of the country’s digital infrastructure.
In response, the federal government has defended the firewall as a necessary cybersecurity measure, with Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasizing the need for enhanced capabilities to counter evolving cybersecurity threats
