IHC summons interior ministry official over ‘X’ closure

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday summoned an authorised officer of the Interior Ministry on April 3 in connection with petition against closure of social media platform X.

Hearing a case regarding closure of ‘X’, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq remarked: “We call any one from Interior Ministry and ask from him. May be it is not liked by someone whatever is written. Much is written on judiciary. Things have changed during 30 years. You can impose curbs under some rules and regulation.”

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) filed a written reply in the court. The PTA counsel presented a letter in an enclosed envelope, meant for seeing by the court only. There’s nothing in the letter, Justice Aamer Farooq remarked after reading the letter.

The court directed the PTA counsel to show the letter to the counsel for petitioner. The petitioner’s counsel said it was already available on social media.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority counsel said ban was imposed on ‘X’ due to the letter. “I am bound to implement it. It is Interior Ministry which has to reply.” The court remarked that the reasons should be genuine. If the matter is of state or national security, then the situation is different. The Islamabad High Court chief justice remarked that ‘X’ is a source of expression of opinion. The court remarked this petition represents several people who use ‘X’. The court summoned an authorised officer of Interior Ministry on April 3.