While hearing petitions challenging the ban on X (formerly Twitter), on March 14, the Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the Ministry of Interior to submit a report on the “functioning of X.”

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

The ban on X was enforced on February 17, 2024 following allegations of rigging during the February 8 general elections.

During the hearing on March 14, the LHC asked the interior ministry to submit a report on the “functioning of X.” The high court asked how the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) worked and summoned the relevant PTA official along with the relevant record.

“It should be revealed which government institutions are using X despite the ban,” said Justice Neelum adding: “It should also be told whether the status of X is legal or illegal.” She said that all parties were required to submit a response in the court.

During the hearing, Deputy Attorney General Asad Bajwa stated that the PTA had blocked access to X on instructions from the interior ministry in response to which the LHC chief judge had asked the interior ministry to inform the court about X’s current status. Justice Ali Zia Bajwa questioned who was responsible for X continuing to be used in spite of a “total blockage.”

Advocate Muhammad Afzal Khan, representing the PTA, informed the court that users  X was being accessed through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

The bench also directed to send the case to a single bench and adjourned the hearing until March 20.

Photo: X Logo