ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday issued notices to the federation and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding framing of new rules for social media. A single bench of Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition filed by Journalists Defence Committee of Pakistan Bar Council on behalf of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) challenging the social media rules of the PTA.
Barrister Jahangir Jadoon, representing the PFUJ argued that the social media rules have been challenged after making a thorough review of the Constitution. He maintained that the social media rules were challenged in accordance with the Constitution.
He contended that instead of consulting with the stakeholders, the PTA made the rules and presented them in the court. These rules are unconstitutional and should be repealed immediately. The chief justice remarked that the freedom of expression was very important for a society, adding, had passed judgment for avoiding such legislations which gave the impression of denying press freedom. He further said it is a case of public interest and those societies have never risen up after being denied free expression.
The chief justice directed that the rules framed by the relevant authorities should be forwarded to all stakeholders to hold meaningful dialogues. The CJ added that violation of Article 19 and 19-A could not be made at any cost. Justice Minallah remarked that a country where freedom of expression was suppressed suffers economically.
He added that the rules that have been drawn up should also not be misused. Deputy Attorney General Syed Tayyab Shah informed the court that the attorney general wanted to appear in person to present his arguments in this matter and should be granted some time. Accepting the deputy attorney general's request to be given some more time, the court deferred the case till January 25.
In this matter, the PFUJ urged the court to strike down the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards), Rules 2020, saying that the rules are unconstitutional. The PTA has made these rules and the IT Ministry announced them on November 19.
The PTA has the power to do this under Sub-section (2) of Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, which talks about "unlawful online content".
The rules came into force immediately. The petition said that the rules should be struck down with immediate effect as the same violate fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. The petition mentioned clauses that allow the PTA to block content online that is against the "glory of Islam", interest, security and defense of Pakistan," etc.
Article 19 already lists down what constitutes glory of Islam and national security, the petition said, and added that the Supreme Court has the authority to interpret the law, not the PTA.
The petition said that the rules also contradict its parent act, PECA and these rules would destroy digital economy, internet user numbers, and have a negative impact on businesses.
Therefore, the petitioner requested the court to declare that the said rules are ultra vires in the light of PECA 2016, and inconsistent with, and in contravention of Article 4 of the Constitution as well as the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 9, 10A, 14, 18, 19, and 19A of the Constitution.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020