Islamabad High Court Demands Concrete Evidence for Social Media Platform X’s Closure
On April 3, the Islamabad High Court (IHC), led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, ordered the interior secretary to appear before the court on April 17 to provide a detailed justification for the suspension of social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. The platform has faced access restrictions in Pakistan since February 17, amidst allegations of election interference.
The case, initiated by Ehtisham Abbasi, an Islamabad resident, argued that the closure of the platform violated fundamental rights. Abbasi’s petition calls for an immediate lifting of the ban on X, citing violations of constitutional rights, particularly Article 19 which guarantees freedom of speech.
During the court session, the Interior Ministry’s joint secretary presented a report attributing the platform’s closure to national security threats based on intelligence agency findings. However, the court criticized the report’s lack of concrete evidence and speculative nature.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the report, Justice Farooq remarked that it was merely speculative. “What is this [report]? Even my secretary could produce a better one,” he commented. Justice Farooq expressed frustration with the ministry’s handling of the situation, emphasizing the need for solid documentation rather than verbal assertions of security threats.
Justice Farooq also pointed out the broader implications of the shutdown, stating, “The country is facing international defamation due to the closure of X.”
The court, subsequently, summoned the interior ministry secretary in person and directed him to produce evidence on the threat to national security. The court’s directive also included a demand for any prior judgments or orders from different courts concerning similar social media restrictions.
The court proceedings were deferred [were they adjourned, use word adjourned then], with the next hearing scheduled for April 17.
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