Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday asked the interior ministry to submit a detailed reply regarding provision of 3G and 4G services in erstwhile FATA.
Taking exception to the suspension of internet services in the area, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the region was no Kashmir. “All basic human rights are provided here,” he stated.
The chief justice said the court had already clarified, in a previous hearing, that it sees the issue as a matter of human rights.
“The tribal areas have gone through a war-like situation, and it will take time for things to normalise,” he added. The petioner’s counsel informed the court that internet services were provided in Bajaur within two to three days.
Responding to the counsel’s argument, Justice Minallah said, “Bajaur’s matter is separate. A single order of the high court will not fix everything.”
He further added that the federal government had not refused to provide the services; authorities concerned should be allowed to work. The Deputy Attorney General was granted a week’s time to submit the reply after he requested the court to be granted two weeks.
“We are granting a week’s time to satisfy the court,” Justice Minallah stated, while adjourning the hearing till May 11.
In the previous hearing, the IHC had directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to provide 3G and 4G services in tribal districts for online classes, so that students may not miss their academic year due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown and submit a report on April 28.
The petition has been filed by a student of Namal University, Syed Muhammad, against the lack of internet services in the area for holding online classes.
Counsel for the student, Abdul Rahim Wazir Advocate, had apprised the court that despite its directives, internet services had not been restored in tribal districts.
