The Islamabad High Court (IHC) strongly criticized the federal government on Wednesday for its decision to ban a popular social media platform, referred to as X, stating that the ban was implemented based solely on speculation.
During the court session, Khurram Agha, Secretary Interior, appeared before the IHC and presented a report in response to a petition challenging the ban on X. Despite the report urging the court to dismiss the petition, claiming no rights were violated, the IHC remained unconvinced.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the report, the judge remarked, "What is this? Even my Secretary could produce a better one." The court observed that the government's decision to ban X appeared to be grounded in speculation rather than concrete evidence.
Furthermore, the court directed the authorities to provide substantial evidence justifying X's classification as a security threat to Pakistan.
Various civil society organizations, including Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), strongly condemned the extended ban on the social media platform, denouncing it as a blatant infringement on democratic freedoms.
The report revealed that Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Wing had requested X to suspend accounts allegedly involved in anti-Chief Justice propaganda. However, X officials purportedly ignored these requests, leading to the temporary closure of the platform.
Additionally, the Interior Ministry highlighted that the decision to ban X was made on February 17, 2024, following requests from the country's intelligence agencies. The aim was to safeguard national security and maintain law and order.
"The ban on Twitter/X in Pakistan was implemented to uphold national security, ensure public order, and safeguard the nation's integrity," the report emphasized.
Read also | Indian Woman Stands Firm in Pakistan for Custody of Children
Read also | Initial Jury Panel Assembled for Trump's New York Legal Battle
