Lahore High Court Orders Response on Pakistan’s Internet Shutdown
The Lahore High Court has instructed the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to respond to a petition about recent internet disruptions in Pakistan. Justice Shakil Ahmad announced the decision on Saturday, requiring all parties to submit their responses by August 21.
The petition, filed by Noman Sarwar, challenges the nationwide internet ‘shutdown’ and demands the immediate restoration of internet access. The petitioner argues that the shutdown violates fundamental rights and adversely affects businesses and daily life.
The federal government has attributed the disruptions to the testing of an internet firewall aimed at regulating social media. This firewall is designed to block unwanted content. However, the government’s decision has faced backlash due to its negative economic impacts. The chairman of the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan warned that online businesses are struggling to maintain operations.
Pakistan’s Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, defended the firewall as a necessary cybersecurity measure, citing the need to respond to evolving cybersecurity threats.
Doubts Revealed
Lahore High Court -: The Lahore High Court is a major court in Pakistan, similar to a big court in India like the High Court of Delhi. It makes important legal decisions.
Pakistan Telecommunications Authority -: The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) is a government body in Pakistan that controls and manages internet and phone services, like TRAI in India.
internet disruptions -: Internet disruptions mean that the internet is not working properly or is being blocked, making it hard for people to use it.
internet firewall -: An internet firewall is a system that blocks or controls what can be accessed on the internet, like a security guard for online activities.
fundamental rights -: Fundamental rights are basic freedoms and protections that every person should have, like the right to speak freely or use the internet.
economic impacts -: Economic impacts refer to how something affects money and business, like how internet problems can make it hard for people to work or do business online.