The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday ordered Pakistan's Ministry of Interior to lift the ban on social networking site X in Pakistan, in place since February, media channels report.
During a hearing on the suspension, SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi questioned the Interior Ministry’s logic in banning the social media platform.
According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the ministry only issues orders for the temporary suspension of mobile internet data services, social media websites, and applications after carefully considering all relevant facts and circumstances.
Following the regulatory body's announcement, the Interior Ministry informed the Islamabad High Court in a separate case that "content uploaded on the internet" constitutes a "threat" to the country's national security, ministry officials said.
During the hearing on Wednesday, CJ Abbasi stated that the "law does not empower the Interior Ministry to act on reports forwarded by intelligence agencies".
The petitioner's counsel, criticising the ban, stated that accessing X and other social media sites did not result in "blasts".
"In retrospect, it appears that no justification was given to suspend X," Abbasi stated, adding that the court will issue its instructions if the Interior Ministry does not remove the directions issued on February 17.
The court will now hear the ministry’s arguments on banning X on May 9, it added.
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