PESHAWAR: On Wednesday, the Peshawar High Court issued notices to the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology, demanding their responses to a petition challenging the recent internet disruptions and slowdowns in the country.
The court’s bench, comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Mohammad Ijaz Khan, acted after a preliminary hearing of the petition filed by lawyer Nauman Muhib Kakakhel. The petition argues that the disruptions and slowdowns of internet and social media services are illegal, unconstitutional, and driven by mala fide intentions.
Kakakhel, who filed the petition, emphasized the internet’s crucial role in modern life, impacting both business and social interactions. He argued that the service interruptions, which occurred without any official explanation, are severely affecting daily activities and e-commerce.
The petitioner highlighted that the disruptions hindered business operations on social media platforms like WhatsApp, affecting calls, documents, and voice messages. He criticized the lack of official communication regarding the disruptions and noted that many people are now forced to use virtual private networks (VPNs), which could compromise their data security.
During the hearing, Justice Ijaz Anwar inquired about the nature of firewalls. The petitioner explained that firewalls are security systems used to control internet traffic and can restrict or block specific types of data.
The bench acknowledged the widespread nature of the disruptions and the government’s explanation that the slowdown was due to high VPN usage. The petitioner expressed concern that reliance on VPNs exposes users to risks and further complicates their ability to carry out daily activities.
Kakakhel also pointed out that Pakistan’s e-commerce and freelance sectors, which are significant for the economy, are suffering due to these connectivity issues. He argued that the right to the internet is a fundamental part of the right to life, as guaranteed by the Constitution, and requested the court to address and protect these rights.
The court has directed the PTA and the Ministry of Information Technology to respond to the petition.
