The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the authorities to restore internet services and social media platforms including X, formerly known as Twitter, across the Country.
While hearing three petitions against the suspension of internet services on Wednesday, the Court expressed displeasure at the suspension of internet services on election day and directed the federal government to provide reasons for disruption.
The SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi remarked that what was the need of holding elections if allocation of top posts were to be made while sitting in a drawing room.
Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi said that the way elections were conducted and internet services were shut, the entire Country was made a spectacle in front of the world.
The petitions were filed by lawyers Jibran Nasir and Hyder Raza as well as the Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan against the ministries and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for causing hindrance to access social media platforms and disturbing mobile internet and broadband services in the run-up to February 8 elections.
Sindh High Court on today on our petition challenging the internet and social media shutdown has given directions to PTA to immediately restore access to all social media platforms including X. The Court expressed displeasure not on how the orders of the Courts were violated but…
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) February 21, 2024
