LHC seeks replies on internet disruption petition

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought replies from various respondents including the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on a petition filed against disruption of the internet service across the country. It has also directed that representatives of each of the respondents ensure their presence at the next hearing of the case on August 21.

The petitioner requested the court to declare the federal government's alleged attempts to shut down the internet illegal and unlawful. He also prayed that the federal government be directed to ensure uninterrupted internet service throughout Pakistan. He had named the federal government, the Ministry of Information Technology and the PTA as respondents.

At the last hearing of the case, LHC Justice Shakil Ahmad had expressed his displeasure at the government lawyer's lack of knowledge about the ongoing internet disruption. However, on that day the LHC had not passed appropriate orders on the plea.

Earlier, the petitioner's lawyer, Advocate Nadeem Sarwar, had contended that if the internet shutdown is in the interest of national security, the government should intimate the public at large prior to the closure, citing reasons for the closure and providing a timeframe as to its duration.

He said tens of millions of Pakistanis rely upon internet services to connect with each other and to undertake essential business activities.

By blocking, filtering, or shutting down these services, the government is eroding civic space, fostering a climate of economic uncertainty and disrupting access to healthcare, online business, emergency services and financial services.

He said apart from the general public, hundreds, if not thousands, of companies have also been affected by this unannounced shutdown.

"Ride-hailing companies like Bykea, Cream and InDrive have taken the brunt, as their users both drivers and passengers, need mobile data on the go. Further food delivery service, social media platforms (used for business purposes) are badly affected."