Hearing on appeal against 'X' shutdown adjourned till May 2

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday adjourned the hearing on plea against the shutdown of social networking website X till May 2.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of IHC heard the petition of journalist Ehtesham Abbasi against the shutdown of X during which Secretary Interior appeared following the court's order.

On this occasion, Amina Ali Advocate appeared on behalf of the petitioner while Munawar Iqbal Dogul, Additional Attorney General appeared in the court on behalf of the Federation.

Additional Attorney General said that they have filed reports in this.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq remarked, ‘Another petition has come in this regard, I take notice of it, you should submit the answer’.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case till May 2.

It is pertinent to note that during the hearing of the case against the suspension of X on April 3, the Chief Justice IHC expressed indignation at the statement of the Interior Department and summoned the Interior Secretary on the next hearing (April 17) in a personal capacity.

Joint Secretary interior said that X has been closed on the report of security agencies.

Aamer Farooq had remarked tell something in writing, it was only told to bring the details, what is this behavior. Assist the court, about what you have done. You did not bring the file or anything, you tell me what reason should I write.

The Joint Home Secretary stated that there was a threat to national security on the Internet.

Later, the IHC summoned the Interior Secretary in his personal capacity and adjourned the case till April 17 for further hearing.

Notably, despite the passage of two months, the service of the micro-blogging website X could not be restored across Pakistan.

X service has been suspended across Pakistan since February 17 and it was partially restored several times during the last two months but could not be made fully operational.