Senior Journalist Hamid Mir Challenges Internet Firewall in Islamabad High Court
On August 16, senior journalist Hamid Mir moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the installation of an internet firewall, citing violations of fundamental rights due to drastically reduced internet speeds, routine network disruptions, and the federal government’s denial of these issues.
The petition, filed through Advocate Imaan Mazari, argues that the installation of the firewall and the resultant internet throttling have severely impacted the ability of journalists to perform their duties, including engaging with the public through social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
The petition names several high-ranking officials and bodies as respondents, including the Cabinet Secretary, Secretary for Information and Technology (IT), Secretary of Interior, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and the Ministry of Human Rights. It appeals to the court to halt the installation of the firewall and declare internet access as a basic human right under the constitution. Additionally, the petition requests that the court order a detailed report on the firewall from the relevant parties and suspend its installation until a decision is made.
In a related development, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought a response from the federal government, the Ministry of Information, and the PTA concerning the nationwide internet disruptions. During a hearing on August 16, Justice Shakeel Ahmed criticized the government’s lack of preparedness and seriousness in addressing the issue, which has severely impacted businesses and daily life across Pakistan.
The petition filed in LHC by Advocate Nadeem Sarwar challenges the widespread internet disruptions, arguing that they violate fundamental rights and calls for the immediate restoration of internet services. The federal government has attributed the disruptions to the testing of an internet firewall aimed at enhancing cybersecurity, with Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja assuring that the government is working on upgrading the network to 5G, not intentionally slowing down the internet.
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