On March 20, the Lahore High Court (LHC) gave the federal government a “last chance” to explain the “entire situation” — legal grounds and mechanism behind the ongoing ban on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The platform has remained inaccessible in Pakistan since February 17, 2024.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum resumed hearing petitions filed by journalist Shakir Mahmood and others challenging the suspension of X. The federal government, the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and others were made parties in the petitions.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Neelum questioned the federal government’s approach: “How was the closure of X carried out? The federal government is being given the last chance [to explain]. The government should respond in court. After this, the head of the cabinet will be summoned.”

PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman appeared before the court and submitted a written response.

Deputy Attorney General Asad Bajwa informed the bench that the interior ministry lacked a mechanism to determine which social media platforms were being accessed through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Justice Neelum questioned how the ministry could block X but not trace its use.

Bajwa stated that the PTA had formed a committee to investigate VPN usage. The court rejected this, with Chief Justice Neelum terming it a way to “distract the court.”

Bajwa said that the social media platform [X] authorities had been written a letter. The court inquired whether there was any agreement between the government and X. Upon being told there was none, Justice Neelum questioned: “Why would X respond to you if there is no agreement?”.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa asked if PTA’s official account on X was still active. When the PTA chairman confirmed it was, the judge asked how the authority could use the platform while banning it. The PTA chairman stated that users in Pakistan were accessing X via VPNs and initially admitted that the PTA was also using a VPN. However, he later tried to retract the statement.

Justice Farooq Haider asked whether VPNs could be blocked, to which the PTA chairman responded that it would take time. Justice Neelum questioned the delay, stating that it had been a year with no significant action, and they were still requesting another month. She also asked for data on VPN usage related to X access. Rehman said exact figures were not available, prompting criticism from the judge.

Justice Bajwa observed that the PTA had stated it would restore X if the court ordered it, to which the PTA chairman responded: “Absolutely, if the court orders, we will open X immediately.” Justice Bajwa noted that while content could be blocked “to some extent” under the rules, an entire platform could not be shut down.

Wrapping up the hearing, Chief Justice Neelum said: “Why did the government not fulfill its responsibility? We were disappointed to summon the PTA chairman, he does not know [anything]. We do not have time to waste, why not take contempt of court action for wasting the bench’s time?”

The hearing was adjourned until April 8.