The Islamabad High Court will hear the petition challenging the ban on the social media app X (formerly Twitter) on February 6, 2025. This case, which has faced multiple delays, was last heard on April 17, 2024. It was initially scheduled for hearings on May 2 and June 11, 2024, but could not proceed on those dates. A miscellaneous application for an early hearing was accepted by the court on November 22, 2024, and the Registrar Office later confirmed the new hearing date for February 6, 2025, after the winter vacations.
In a related development, the Senate’s Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, convened on December 5, 2024, to discuss important issues affecting the industry. During the meeting, Pasha Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed expressed strong concerns over the government’s VPN policy, emphasizing the negative impact on the IT sector. He noted that an hour of internet downtime results in a $910,000 loss for the industry, highlighting the critical importance of reliable internet access for growth.
Also Read: Islamabad High Court Notices PTA and Information Ministry Over X Ban
Senator Khan also criticized the Ministry of IT, questioning why the Ministry is not taking a more active role, especially with the responsibility being shifted to the Ministry of Interior. The Secretary of IT assured the committee that efforts are being made to balance national security with minimizing disruptions to the IT sector, aiming for a more strategic approach to policymaking that supports both national security and the growth of Pakistan’s IT industry.
