Petition Filed in PHC Against Nationwide Internet Disruptions and Slowdowns

The petition names the Government of Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication as respondents.

On Friday, Advocate Nouman Muhib Kakakhel filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court challenging the government's actions in disrupting and throttling internet services across Pakistan.

The petition names the Government of Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication as respondents.

In his plea, Advocate Kakakhel argued that the Internet has become an essential part of daily life, integral to businesses and social interactions. He highlighted that the disruptions and slowdowns are causing significant difficulties in communication, file sharing, banking, and social media usage. The inability to send or download voice messages, documents, photos, and videos has severely impacted users.

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The advocate further contended that the government has not provided any announcement or explanation for these internet disruptions, leaving citizens in the dark. He pointed out that many people are resorting to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to maintain their daily activities, which poses significant risks to their data security, including banking information.

Advocate Kakakhel emphasized that Pakistan's economy relies heavily on freelancers, e-commerce, and online businesses. He noted that international corporations and private individuals often use Pakistani services through freelancing platforms. However, these platforms are increasingly restricting access due to unstable IP addresses, leading to losses for both individuals and the national exchequer, as taxes are paid on earnings from these activities.

The petition argues that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees fundamental rights, and in the modern world, access to the internet is a critical component of the right to life, facilitating education, business, banking, and swift communication.

Advocate Kakakhel urged the High Court, as the guardian of fundamental rights under the Constitution, to address the grievances of the petitioner and all citizens of Pakistan. He called on the court to declare the internet disruptions and slowdowns across the country as unconstitutional, illegal, and beyond the jurisdiction and lawful authority of the government.