The Sindh High Court has noted that internet services should be shut down in select areas and not in the entire country if a law and order situation occurs.

During a hearing on petitions against internet and social media suspension, the counsel for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said the government had decided to shut down internet and cellular services on Feb 8 over security reservations submitted by provinces.

“A law and order situation in the country was prevented because of this decision,” he highlighted, adding that the most important factor was national security.

However, SHC’s Justice Aqeel Abbasi said “a joke was made by shutting down the entire country” and highlighted that the Centre was putting the entire blame on provincial governments.