LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday summoned the attorney general for Pakistan on a petition challenging the ban on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in the country.

A three-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the plea regarding the restriction on X.

During the hearing, officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other relevant departments appeared before the court as per its earlier order.

Additional Attorney General Mirza Nasar Ahmad informed the bench that the PTA had already submitted its reply and a report on the issue.

Chief Justice Neelum stressed that the full bench wanted the attorney general to personally appear in the court and clarify the legal position of the ban on X.

The bench remarked that the delay in the proceedings was due to the non-appearance of the attorney general.

The bench directed the attorney general to appear in person on April 17 and explain the legal basis of the notification imposing the ban on the social media platform.

At the previous hearing, the bench had asked the government to show the exact provision in the rules that allows banning social media platforms.

PTA Chairman retired Maj Gen Hafeezur Rehman, who was also present in the court, had stated that the blocking of social media platforms and websites had been ongoing in Pakistan since 2016. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had blocked YouTube for four years.

The petition filed through Advocate Azhar Siddique argued that the government unlawfully imposed restrictions on social media and blocked access to X.

It said the access to information was a fundamental right of every citizen and that such restrictions violate Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution.

The petition asked the court to lift all restrictions on social media and declare all government notifications regarding these bans as null and void.

bail extended: An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday extended the pre-arrest bail of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, two sisters of incarcerated PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and others in six cases of May 9 riots, including the case of burning of the PML-N office in Model Town.

During the hearing of the bail petitions, PTI founder’s sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, along with other party leaders, appeared before the court.

The court directed the prosecution to complete its arguments on the bail petitions and adjourned the hearing till May 13.

The judge remarked that the investigation had been completed, and the prosecution must conclude its arguments.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2025