The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has acknowledged following the Ministry of Interior’s directive to halt mobile services on February 8, election day, in a statement to the Sindh High Court (SHC). As the executor, PTA confirmed its compliance with the ministry’s mandate.
Simultaneously, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) received petitions against the restriction of social media platform X, prompting the issuance of notices to both the PTA and the Information Ministry.
The SHC, led by Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, reviewed petitions concerning suspending mobile internet, broadband, and X/Twitter services. Activist Jibran Nasir’s petition addressed online service interruptions in December 2023 and January 2024.
A February 8 Ministry of Interior letter cited security concerns due to increased terrorist activity as the reason for the temporary mobile service suspension, instructing PTA to enact the directive.
PTA informed cellular operators to cease data and call services nationwide, excluding Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, reinstating them 24 hours later as per ministry guidance.
PTA highlighted its obligation to adhere to government and intelligence agency reports, although these reports were not disclosed to PTA. It cited the Pakistan Telecommunication Act of 1996, which grants government precedence in telecommunications for security or defence reasons. PTA’s standard operating procedure, established in 2010, guides the implementation of such directives.
The Ministry of Interior requested additional response time, leading the court to extend the deadline to March 20.
IHC’s Chief Justice Aamer Farooq addressed a plea against X’s restriction filed by Islamabad resident Ehtisham Abbasi. The court noted an existing SHC order and adjourned the hearing, awaiting compliance with SHC directives.
The SHC had previously mandated uninterrupted internet and broadband services, barring legal justifications for suspension, and ordered the restoration of X access absent reasonable suspension grounds.
