The Sindh High Court has directed the Ministry of Interior to revoke its letter regarding suspension of X – formally known as twitter – within a week.
Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi gave this order while healing hearing multiple petitions filed by Zarrar Khuhro, Jibran Nasir and others.
“What are you [interior ministry] achieving via shutting down trivial things […] The world must laugh at us,” he said during the proceedings.
The X has been suspended since February citing national security threats.
Last month, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) told the court that it blocked the social media platform after receiving directions from the Ministry of Interior and intelligence agencies.
Rights bodies and journalists’ organisations have condemned the muzzling of social media, while internet service providers have also lamented losses due to disruptions. The United States had also called on Pakistan to lift restrictions on social media platforms.
The court then adjourned the hearing till May 9, directing the Ministry of Interior to present its reasons behind the blocking of the site on the said date.
