LHC Chief Justice Gives Govt ‘Last Chance’ to Explain Blockage of X
The hearing has been adjourned until April 8, 2025.
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has given the federal government its “last chance” to explain the ongoing blockage of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in Pakistan.
March 20th hearing was taken up by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, who heard the petitions of journalist Shakir Mahmood and others. The federal government, the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Information and others had been made parties in the petitions.
During the hearing, the court expressed strong criticism against the PTA Chairman, Major General (retired) Hafeezur Rehman, for his lack of knowledge about the affairs related to the ban.
“How was the closure of X carried out? The federal government is being given the last chance [to explain]. The government should respond in court.
“After this, the head of the cabinet will be summoned,” Justice Neelum ordered in the hearing.
Read More: Lahore High Court Seeks Report on ‘X’ Usage from Interior Ministry and PTA
The LHC has been critical of the PTA’s handling of the ban, particularly as the authority itself uses X despite the blockage, and for its inability to provide clear data on VPN usage related to accessing X.
The court questioned the legal basis for the ban and the use of VPNs, with the PTA citing government directives but failing to provide clear legal justification.
The PTA acknowledged that VPNs are widely used to access X but claimed it cannot block VPNs immediately. The court warned of potential contempt action against the PTA for its lack of clarity and inconsistent actions.
The hearing has been adjourned until April 8, 2025, with the court emphasizing the need for a clear explanation from the government regarding the blockage of X.
Access to X in Pakistan has remained restricted since February 17, 2024, following allegations by former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha, who accused the chief election commissioner and a senior Supreme Court judge of involvement in rigging the February 8 general elections.
