'X' banned on orders of interior ministry for security reasons: PTA

Amid the ongoing blockage of the microblogging site ‘X', the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) that the ban was imposed on the orders of the Interior Ministry for 'security reasons'.

The SHC combined two petitions filed by Jibran Nasir and journalist Zarrar Khuhro, along with others. These petitions challenged the blocking of 'X' since February 17, when former comissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatta alleged 'electoral fraud' in a press conference, claiming the results were manipulated."

A two-member Sindh High Court (SHC) bench, led by Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Abdul Mubeen Lakho, presided over the hearing. 

The PTA submitted a letter from the Interior Ministry, dated February 17, instructing it to block access to 'X' until further orders. However, the reason for the block was not disclosed in the letter.

The telecommunication authority further explained to the court that the Interior Ministry ordered the blocking of "X" based on information received from intelligence agencies.

Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi expressed dissatisfaction when Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Khaleeq Ahmed requested additional time on behalf of the interior ministry to submit the response. 

Subsequently, the DAG submitted a written response on behalf of the interior ministry, asserting that services were disrupted only on May 9 as per directives from all provincial governments.

The response clarified that “the Ministry of Interior issues orders for the suspension of 3G/4G services solely in situations where the security of the state and its citizens is at stake.”

However, the response refrained from addressing other matters. 

After including the ministry’s response in the case record, the bench adjourned the hearing until April 17.