ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has postponed the case regarding internet slowdowns and the installation of a firewall until September 3, as reported on Monday.
The government did not provide a satisfactory explanation for the recent decline in internet speed, prompting the court to adjourn the case and request a detailed report by the next hearing date.
Additionally, the court has summoned the Member Technical to appear in person.
Chief Justice Aamir Farooq criticized the government for issuing conflicting statements regarding the issue, noting that officials alternate between attributing the problem to a firewall and denying its existence.
“The case is also pending in the Lahore High Court, but no one is taking responsibility,” the Chief Justice remarked.
He instructed the government to submit a report clarifying whether the slowdown is related to security or national interests, emphasizing the court’s need to understand the ongoing situation. The Deputy Attorney General responded, stating that the issue was not due to any installations by the court.
The PTA’s lawyer informed the court that two cables had been severed, and a third cable was also recently cut. When asked about responsibility, the Chief Justice inquired whether the PTA or another entity was accountable. The PTA’s lawyer clarified that while the internet service is operational, issues with WhatsApp, such as problems sending audio and video, have been reported.
The Chairman of PTA mentioned that the web operating system is currently being upgraded.
The bench noted that the business community and other users have been experiencing disruptions for over 10 days, with intermittent problems persisting for 12 to 14 days. The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and the Ministry for Human Rights have been named as respondents in the petition challenging the internet slowdown and the installation of the firewall.
