LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: On Friday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) sharply criticized the state counsel for their lack of knowledge and seriousness regarding recent internet disruptions across the country and indicated that it would issue a pertinent order on the issue.
During a hearing on a public interest petition filed by Advocate Nadeem Sarwar, Justice Shakeel Ahmed instructed an assistant attorney general to consult with relevant authorities and submit a report after a recess.
When proceedings resumed, Justice Ahmed emphasized the importance of the issue and assured that the court would issue a suitable order.
The government’s lawyer requested additional time to provide a detailed report on the disruptions, explaining that consultations with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) were necessary to pinpoint the causes.
Justice Ahmed expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response, criticizing the lack of adequate information despite the issue’s significant public impact. The judge adjourned the hearing until August 21.
Advocate Sarwar’s petition argued that millions of Pakistanis depend on internet services for vital communication and business activities. He claimed that the government’s actions to block, filter, or shut down these services undermine civic space, create economic uncertainty, and disrupt access to healthcare, online business, and emergency and financial transactions.
Sarwar noted that sudden internet outages hinder technology firms’ ability to meet deadlines, causing financial losses and harming their reputation. He also highlighted severe disruptions to major platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp since last week.
Sarwar urged the court to declare internet shutdowns unconstitutional and mandate the government to ensure continuous internet connectivity.
In a separate development, senior journalist Hamid Mir has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the internet slowdown.
Filed through Advocate Imaan Mazari, Mir’s petition seeks redress for violations of citizens’ fundamental rights due to the apparent installation of a firewall, significantly reduced internet speeds, and routine network disruptions. The petition also addresses the federal government’s denial of these issues.
Mir argued that he and other journalists are struggling to perform their duties due to these connectivity problems. The petition points out that Mir engages the public through his talk shows on the social media platform X, announcing topics an hour before airing and incorporating public opinions.
However, due to the ban on X, the firewall, and resultant internet throttling, Mir has faced difficulties in maintaining this level of engagement.
