LAHORE: A petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday against “nationwide internet shutdown”, seeking immediate restoration of the internet access.
The development comes after the government did not clearly relayed the nation as to what was cooking as millions across the country continue to face trouble accessing internet services due to limited connectivity, particularly while using mobile data in some regions.
The internet disruption is not only affecting citizens’ rights but also causing financial losses to the national exchequer, as several online businesses, including e-commerce and ride-hailing services, are bearing the brunt of the restricted connectivity.
Users of the widely used messaging application WhatsApp in Pakistan have also reported frustratingly long delays and failures when uploading and downloading content of all types.
The issue has been being attributed to the alleged testing of an internet firewall to rein in social media and is equipped with filters that will block unwanted content from reaching a wider audience.
The LHC registrar’s office has fixed the plea for hearing, wherein the federal government, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other entities have been made parties.
Justice Shakil Ahmad will hear the petition filed by Nadeem Sarwar.
According to the petition, the internet and social media applications were shut down in the country without the authorities’ giving any notice or reason.
“Businesses and every sphere of life are being affected because of the internet’s closure. Shutting down the internet is also a violation of fundamental rights,” the plea said.
It also demanded revocation of the federal government’s “decision” to shut down the internet.
Petitioner Sarwar prayed the court to issue orders to fully and immediately restore the internet countrywide.
The high court directed the government’s prosecutor to take instructions from the relevant authorities and appear before the court today.
‘A cybersecurity measure’
On the other hand, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said firewall was a cybersecurity measure “that every country in the world takes”.
“An issue is created in the media and masses [out of nothing],” she said responding to a query about testing of an internet firewall.
She said this while talking to journalists after the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication meeting in Islamabad on Thursday.
The minister said earlier a web management system was in place and currently its upgradation was happening to cope with cybersecurity threats.
“Look at the cybersecurity attacks being carried out on the country and the world as well. With evolution of the cybersecurity threats, states need to have a better capability to ensure that the threats are [well] responded,” she said.
On the matter of internet slowdown, she said she had requested the internet service providers and PTA to provide data related to traffic of the last two weeks.
“Once the data comes, we will be in a better position to say something,” she said.
Shaza clarified that the government was not in favour of internet slowdown, rather it was working to upgrade it to 5G.
‘Devastating effect on businesses, individuals’
Meanwhile, the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) has blamed the phenomenon on increased security and surveillance whose adverse repercussions might lead to severe economic repercussions.
Elaborating on the prevailing issue, the WISPAP chairman revealed that internet speeds witnessed around 30% to 40% reduction which has had a devastating effect on businesses and individuals who depend on reliable internet connectivity.
Highlighting the adverse effects of internet-related issues on online and electronic-related businesses, the chairman warned that these sectors, an essential pillar of the country’s digital economy, are now “struggling to maintain operations, and the slowdown is threatening their very survival”.