SHC orders ministry to withdraw X closure letter within a week

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has instructed the Ministry of Interior to withdraw its notification concerning the suspension of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, within a week.

The social media platform X, previously Twitter, remains inaccessible to users in Pakistan.

During today’s court session, the petitioner’s attorney argued that using X and other social media platforms does not result in “explosions.”

“The suspension of X is causing ridicule upon us internationally by shutting down trivial matters,” remarked the SHC Chief Justice while expressing dissatisfaction with the X suspension.

The SHC Chief Justice emphasized that if the Ministry of Interior does not retract the directives issued on February 17, the court will issue its own orders.

Subsequently, the court postponed the hearing until May 9.

A day before, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the necessity for improved laws to regulate freedom of speech on the internet.

“Freedom of expression is acceptable, but making baseless allegations against individuals is wrong, and this issue needs to be addressed. We should review our laws and address misuse,” he stated to the media.

Last month, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) informed the court that it blocked the social media platform following instructions from the Ministry of Interior.