ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has fixed February 6, 2025 as next date of hearing in a petition challenging the ban on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
The petition, which was last heard on April 17, 2024, has faced multiple delays while the previous hearings were deferred on May 2 and June 11.
In this regard, a miscellaneous application for an early hearing was accepted by the court on November 22, 2024 and a single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, after reviewing the case, directed that the petition be heard after the winter vacation period.
In this matter, the petition was moved by Ehtisham Abbasi against the closure of X which has remained largely restricted in Pakistan since February 17.
Previously, Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, on behalf of the ministry, submitted a report in court in response to the petition challenging the ban on the social media platform.
The Interior Ministry informed the bench that the ban on social networking site X, formerly Twitter, was necessary following the platform’s failure to address concerns regarding its misuse.
The report also requested the court to dismiss the petition stating that “no right of the petitioner has been deprived”. It added that the failure of Twitter/X to adhere to the lawful directives of the government of Pakistan and address concerns regarding the misuse of its platform necessitated the imposition of a ban. It said that the petition against the closure of X is contrary to law and facts.
The FIA Cybercrime Wing had requested X to ban accounts that were propagating against the chief justice. It noted that X officials ignored the requests of the FIA Cybercrime Wing and did not respond, following which the decision to temporarily close the site was taken.
The report stated that at the request of intelligence agencies, the Ministry of Interior issued orders for the closure of X on February 17, 2024, aimed at safeguarding the national security and law and order situation.
It maintained that the decision to impose a ban on Twitter/X in Pakistan was made in the interest of upholding national security, maintaining public order, and preserving the integrity of our nation.
Social media platforms are being used indiscriminately to spread extremist ideas and false information. X is being used as a tool by some nefarious elements to undermine law and order and promote instability, said the report.
It also stated that the closure of X is not against Article 19 of the Constitution and is in response to the rising security concerns that led to the ban on many social media platforms, even around the world.
The ministry maintained that the social media platform’s closure is not intended to curtail freedom of expression or access to information, but is aimed at the responsible use of social media platforms in accordance with the law.
It continued that the Ministry of Interior is the protector of the citizens of Pakistan and responsible for national stability. The report mentioned that social media platform TikTok was also banned by the government earlier; adding that the ban was lifted after TikTok signed an agreement to abide by Pakistani law.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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