The Sindh High Court has once again ordered the immediate restoration of internet services and social media platforms, adjourning the hearing until March 5.
The court also sought a response from the federal government on the issue.
The SHC was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Jibran Nasir against the blocking of internet and social media platforms in the country, particularly during the elections. The chief justice expressed dismay over the internet shutdown, even in court, asking when it would be resumed.
During the proceedings, the petitioner's lawyer recalled that the internet had been shut down on election day, to which the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) counsel argued that they followed orders from the Interior and Information ministries. The internet was shut down based on reports from intelligence agencies in view of the alleged law-and-order situation, he further claimed.
At this, the chief justice observed that some people were not even allowed to contest the elections, adding that they wanted to run their campaigns online but the internet was shut down. "Don't hold the elections then," the CJ remarked.
The PTA lawyer said they implemented the instructions that they received. The court then asked for the threats over which the internet was shut down. "We are not told about the threats," the lawyer responded.
The federal government lawyer said the internet was shut down on the recommendation of the provincial governments.
"Why don't you sit in drawing rooms and distribute the positions? What is the point of holding an election?" the CJ remarked, asking the Sindh government whether it had ordered to shut down the Internet.
The government lawyer responded in the negative and asked for time to submit a reply. "Why are court orders not taken seriously?" the CJ asked, insisting that this would not be tolerated.
The court asked for the reasons for shutting down the internet during the elections, and once again ordered to restore the service and social media. The SHC then adjourned the hearing till March 5 while seeking a response from the federal government.
