PTA now calls X closure 'unintentional mistake under pressure'

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has criticised the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for changing its stance on the blocking of X (formerly Twitter).

During a hearing led by SHC Chief Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui on Monday, the court expressed displeasure over PTA's reversal of the Interior Ministry's notification regarding the platform’s ban.

The court questioned whether PTA’s action constituted professional misconduct or misrepresentation.

"Who gave you these instructions? Name the person," the chief justice asked, irked at the inconsistency.

Despite the deputy attorney general’s defence that it was an unintentional mistake due to case overload, the court remained firm in its stance.

The court further indicated the possibility of contempt proceedings and suggested that PTA's chairman could be summoned for clarification.

PTA's lawyer was also questioned for providing information without being prompted, with the court noting that the other PTA lawyer had earlier stated that no such instructions were issued.

The case was postponed until 24 September, with the court consolidating PTA’s petition with other related cases, neither retracting nor amending its prior orders.

PTA clarifies X ban order still in effect

On Saturday, PTA requested the SHC to set aside or modify its September 12 order, which was issued during a hearing on a petition filed against the suspension of X in Pakistan.

According to the court's written order, one of PTA's counsels repeatedly stated during a recent hearing that the Federal Ministry of Interior had withdrawn its February 17 notification regarding the blocking of X in Pakistan.

The court noted that when PTA's counsel, Ahsan Imam, informed the bench of the withdrawal, the federal government's lawyer did not oppose the statement.

Imam reiterated his stance multiple times. In other petitions, PTA's lawyer, Saad Siddiqui, mentioned that he was unaware of this development. The court expressed surprise, noting that different instructions seemed to be provided for the same issue.

"In such a situation, and since the letter containing instructions to the PTA has been withdrawn, and there is no other impediment to the restoration of X (formerly Twitter), as not disclosed, the platform stands restored," the court order stated.

However, on Saturday, some PTA officials filed affidavits in court, requesting it to "set aside/recall/modify/vary" its September 12 order.

They claimed the court's order was issued based on a mistaken statement by PTA's counsel, which was a result of instructions provided by the authority.

"However, it subsequently transpired that, due to some misunderstanding and confusion, these instructions were given, leading to the passing of the impugned order," the affidavits explained.

The affidavits further noted that the September 12 order had caused significant prejudice and hardship for the PTA. The misunderstanding was attributed to the fact that another case, concerning the withdrawal of a notification on the formation of a steering committee, was also listed for hearing before the same bench.

"Since both matters were being heard by this honorable bench, the instructions were given [by the PTA] based on a bona fide mistake, as it mixed up the proceedings," the affidavit added.

The PTA clarified that the statement about the withdrawal of the ministry's notification in the X suspension case was incorrect. "Therefore, it is most humbly prayed that this honorable high court kindly set aside/vary/modify/recall the impugned order [dated September 12]," it said.