SHC orders immediate restoration of social media platforms across country

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued a directive to the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), to immediately reinstate the services of various social media platforms, including X (previously known as Twitter), throughout Pakistan.

This decision came in response to a petition filed against the recent "unconstitutional" internet shutdowns across the nation.

Heading the SHC bench, Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional rights amidst concerns over the disruption of internet services, particularly during recent days.

Additionally, the court has sought a detailed report from the PTA regarding the suspension of internet services on election day. Furthermore, notices have been issued to the federal government to address the matter.

Despite these legal developments, users in Pakistan continue to encounter difficulties accessing the social media platform X, previously recognized as Twitter. Reports of internet outages began circulating on Saturday, prompting concerns from watchdog groups monitoring online accessibility.

NetBlocks, an organization dedicated to tracking internet accessibility issues, confirmed on February 17th that Pakistan experienced a "national-scale disruption" affecting X.

This disruption coincided with widespread protests in the country, spurred by allegations of vote rigging during the general elections.