ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court summoned the IT Ministry’s Technical Member in person for the next hearing due to an unsatisfactory response from the government regarding a petition on slow internet speeds.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court was hearing the petition concerning slow internet and firewall installation.
The CJ remarked that everything related to IT is dependent on the internet. He observed that ministers are giving contradictory statements—sometimes there is a firewall, sometimes there isn’t. He added, “One day, the minister gives one statement, and the next day, another, leaving the whole nation confused.”
PTA’s lawyer informed the court that initially, they learnt that two cables were cut, and now they received a message that a third cable was also cut.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq questioned the responsibility, asking whether PTA or someone else is accountable for the cables being cut.
He said that for the past 10 days, conflicting statements were made by the ministers, with no one accepting the responsibility.
He criticized the government’s casual approach to the matter, saying that they appeared in court without any concrete information.
The Deputy Attorney General stated that none of the issues were caused by any installations by the government.
The court observed that the business community and others dependent on the internet have been complaining for the last 10 days.
“This is not the old times when a phone malfunction would just be accepted as it is,” the court observed.
Advocate Imaan Mazari mentioned that while the internet is working, WhatsApp functions are being affected, with issues in sending audio and video.
PTA’s Chairman responded that they are upgrading the web operating system.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq emphasized that if this is a matter of national security and interest, the court should be informed.
He expressed that the court wants to understand what exactly is happening.
The court then questioned PTA’s lawyer, pointing out that it’s been 12 to 14 days since the issue started, not just a single night.
Later, the court summoned a detailed report with the above measures and adjourned the hearing until September 3.
