The Lahore High Court (LHC) has asked the Ministry of Interior to submit a report on the use of X by government bodies amid the notorious ban.
The development came on Friday as the court heard a petition filed against the suspension of X, which has now surpassed a year. X was banned across the country on February 17 last year, over a week after the general elections were held.
According to a report by Dawn.com, Chief Justice Alia Neelam, who headed the three-member bench, questioned the interior ministry on the functioning of X and the operations of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Justice Neelam raised questions on government bodies using X amid the ban as well. “It should be revealed which government institutions are using X despite the ban,” she remarked. “It should also be told whether the status of X is legal or illegal.”
Deputy Attorney General Asad Bajwa informed the court that the PTA had suspended X on the interior ministry’s directives. Justice Neelam directed all parties in the case, including the federal government, Ministry of Information, and the Ministry of Law, to submit a response.
Justice Neelam stressed that a report should be given to court on why X is still being used despite a complete ban. The lawyer representing the telecom regulator said that X is being used via virtual private network (VPNs).
The next hearing will take place on March 20, 2025.
