‘X’ closure: Bring evidence, no verbal statements, court reprimands

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court on Wednesday has asked the interior ministry to present concrete proof that social media platform ‘X’ was closed due to security concerns and summoned the Interior Secretary in a personal capacity after Eid.

During today’s hearing, the Interior Ministry’s joint secretary appeared before IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq who was hearing the plea and submitted a report in the court.

The Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court expressed indignation when the report of the Ministry of Interior was presented at the beginning of the hearing.

The Joint Secretary Interior appeared in the court and told that X has been closed on the report of the security agencies, on which the Chief Justice remarked that hat he should give in writing what was the threat to the national security and not just make verbal statements in the court. 

“Show us the documents. There will be no verbal conversation,” asserted Justice Farooq.

 “What is this method? What is this attitude? Assist the court,” said the IHC CJ, adding that everything is “closed and jammed”.

The Joint Secretary Interior said that there was a threat to the country’s security on the Internet, on which the Chief Justice remarked that he does not want speeches give me solid reasons in writing.

Reserved seats dispute: PHC to hear contempt of court case today

The secretary told the court that the content uploaded on the internet is a threat to the national security. 

The court said that there must be evidence regarding the threat. “You closed X on the Intelligence Bureau’s (IB) report. There are no reasons written in it, only a report based on speculation,” it added. 

The Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court remarked that the reasons and evidence related to any threat should be presented in writing, the Secretary Interior should appear at the next hearing and inform the reasons for the closure of X, a report based on assumptions should not be submitted.

If there is a threat to security, give concrete evidence and reasons to the court.

The Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing till April 17 after summoning the Interior Secretary in his personal capacity after Eid.