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LHC Seeks Report on X Ban, Questions Government’s Use of Platform
Lahore High Court demands a report on the ban of X, questioning government institutions using the platform despite restrictions. Hearing adjourned until March 20.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-14
LHC Seeks Report on X Ban, Questions Government’s Use of Platform

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the Ministry of Interior to submit a report regarding the ongoing ban on X (formerly Twitter), as it heard a petition challenging the restrictions on the social media platform.

The disruption of X began on February 17, 2024, following allegations by former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha, who accused the chief election commissioner and a Supreme Court judge of election rigging in the February 8 general elections. The ban has since drawn criticism from human rights groups, journalists, and even the United States, which has urged Pakistan to restore access to social media platforms.

LHC Questions Ban and Government Usage

A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Alia Neelum, heard petitions filed by journalist Shakir Mahmood and others. The court made the federal government, the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Information, and other stakeholders parties to the case.

During the hearing, the court:

  • Sought a report from the Ministry of Interior regarding the functioning of X in Pakistan.
  • Inquired about the role of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in the ban.
  • Summoned a PTA officer to present relevant records.
  • Asked which government institutions were still using X despite the restrictions.

Justice Neelum emphasized the need for transparency, stating:

“It should be revealed which government institutions are using X despite the ban. It should also be clarified whether the status of X is legal or illegal.”

PTA and Government Justifications

Deputy Attorney General Asad Bajwa informed the court that PTA had imposed the ban under the Ministry of Interior’s directives. However, the court pressed for further clarification on X’s current status.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa questioned:

“If X is still being used despite a total blockage, who is responsible for this?”

PTA’s lawyer, Advocate Muhammad Afzal Khan, responded that X was still accessible in Pakistan through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), allowing users to bypass the restrictions.

Next Steps in Legal Proceedings

The judges directed the case to be transferred to a single bench for further hearings, noting that its decision could later be challenged before a double bench. The court adjourned the hearing until March 20, when the government is expected to submit its report on the matter.

As the case unfolds, concerns continue to mount over digital rights, censorship, and the role of social media in Pakistan’s political landscape.
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