IHC throws out ministry report on X ban

Orders interior secretary to appear in person on April 17

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday dismissed a report submitted by the Ministry of Interior regarding the closure of X—formerly Twitter—in Pakistan.

The court instructed the interior secretary to personally appear on April 17 and provide concrete evidence of the alleged threat posed by X to national security.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over a petition filed by a citizen against the ban imposed on X in February during the tenure of a caretaker government.

During the court session, the joint-secretary of the interior stated that X was shut down in Pakistan based on a report submitted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

According to the report, the content uploaded on X and other social media platforms was deemed a threat to national security, he said.

Read IHC issues notices to ministry, PTA over suspension of social media platform X

Expressing dissatisfaction with the report, Justice Farooq remarked that it was merely speculative. "What is this [report]? Even my secretary could produce a better one," he commented.

He then questioned the joint-secretary about the content of the court order.

"Should I state that the government is too fatigued to address this matter and fulfill its obligations? It appears that every institution is tainted."

The court observed that the government had closed down X based on a speculative report. The bench emphasized that authorities must present solid evidence, even if the content on X is indeed a security risk to the state.

The interior secretary was directed to personally appear on April 17 and elucidate the reasons for the closure of the popular platform.

The Ministry of Interior was also instructed to submit relevant court orders regarding the lifting of the ban on X. "Let's see who takes the initiative to lift this ban," Justice Farooq concluded.