IHC seeks PTA arguments in TikTok ban case

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to satisfy the bench on the next hearing regarding imposing a ban on social media application ‘TikTok’.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah, hearing the case, remarked that the PTA had submitted its report regarding the matter but it had not clarified the ban on ‘Tiktok’ in compliance of the court orders.

The court noted that the authority had submitted affidavit to Peshawar and Sindh high courts stating that there was only one per cent objectionable material on ‘Tiktok’. Justice Minallah remarked that the middle class people had made the application as source of their income through presenting their talent on it.

The court asked whether the PTA had taken any guideline from any social media expert before banning the application. Apparently, it was a violation of basic human rights, the chief justice remarked.

The court noted that the attorney general for Pakistan had told the bench that government would consult the stakeholders in this regard. Why not the court should pass an order to restore the application, the court questioned. The bench sought arguments and adjourned the case till Nov 22.