ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday summoned representatives from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and the Ministry of Information Technology on August 26 to respond to senior journalist and television anchor Hamid Mir’s petition regarding the countrywide Internet slowdown amid the installation of a national firewall.
According to the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan, nationwide Internet speeds have dropped by 30-40 percent in the last few weeks as the government operationalizes the firewall intended to filter undesired content, such as “anti-state propaganda.”
Pakistan’s State Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja rejected reports over the weekend that the government was responsible for slowing or shutting down the Internet in the country, attributing it instead to the widespread use of virtual private networks (VPNs) amid the ban on social media platform X.
Mir filed his petition through Advocate Imaan Zainab Mazari on Friday, describing the frequent network disruptions in recent weeks as a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights, while challenging the government’s denial of its contribution to the situation.
“During today’s hearing, the chief justice issued notices to PTA and the IT ministry for the next hearing on August 26 and asked why the Internet is slow and what is the firewall,” Mir told Arab News.
He said the IHC registrar initially raised some objections to his petition, but Chief Justice Aamer Farooq overruled them and scheduled the case for a hearing on Tuesday.
Mir noted in his petition he was aggrieved by the government’s conduct, which had caused him and his colleagues significant difficulties in performing their duties as professional journalists, heavily reliant on online connectivity and communication.
He maintained that young people, particularly students, were also facing substantial challenges.
Speaking to Arab News, the president of the Pakistan Freelancers Association said last week the businesses of over 2.3 million Pakistani freelance workers had suffered due to the slow Internet.
After Tuesday’s hearing, Mir’s lawyer informed the court was fully aware of the Internet disruption affecting the entire country.
“The honorable court inquired about the reasons behind the disruption and sought the government’s stance on the issue,” Mazari said, adding the additional attorney general was unable to provide a satisfactory response, saying he did not use the Internet frequently and was unaware of the situation.
She added that the chief justice observed the Internet disruption in Pakistan was a matter of common knowledge before summoning representatives from the PTA and IT ministry for the next hearing on August 26.
Asked about the state minister for information technology’s assertion regarding the Internet slowdown, Mazari said it was factually incorrect that it was caused by VPN use.
Arab News reached out to the PTA and the Ministry of IT for their comments, but they did not respond by the time this story was filed.
Pakistan court seeks government response over Internet slowdown amid national firewall controversy
https://arab.news/6dtny
Pakistan court seeks government response over Internet slowdown amid national firewall controversy
- Islamabad High Court takes up journalist Hamid Mir’s petition, summons relevant authorities for Aug. 26 hearing
- Government has denied responsibility for network disruptions, attributing it instead to the widespread use of VPN
Pakistan, Uzbekistan eye increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion within two years
- Pakistani PM’s aide on commerce, Ihsaan Afzal, meets Uzbekistan’s deputy investment minister in Tashkent
- Uzbek delegation identifies textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals as sectors for joint ventures, technology transfer
ISLAMABAD: Senior officials from Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to fast-track their countries’ Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion within the next two years, Pakistan’s commerce ministry said on Friday.
Uzbekistan was the first Central Asian nation with which Pakistani officials signed a bilateral Transit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) and a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) covering 17 items. The PFA was signed between the two countries in March 2022 and became operational in 2023.
The two sides discussed the PFA again in Tashkent on Dec. 11 when Ihsaan Afzal, coordinator to the Pakistani prime minister on commerce and industry, held in-depth talks with Shohrukh Gulamov, Uzbekistan’s deputy minister of investment, industry and trade.
“Both sides reaffirmed their firm commitment to elevate bilateral trade to $2 billion within the next two years, in line with the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the President of Uzbekistan,” Pakistan’s commerce ministry said.
Gulamov confirmed that the two countries are actively finalizing a “significantly broadened product list,” stating that a formal understanding on the expanded PTA is expected “very soon.”
Afzal stressed the need to standardize documentation, harmonize customs procedures and inspection protocols. The Pakistani officials also called for establishing digital connectivity to reduce delays and enhance trade predictability.
Gulamov assured his full support to Pakistan, confirming that technical teams on both sides are working to operationalize an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system between the relevant authorities of the two countries.
“The Uzbek side identified textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments as key sectors where Uzbekistan seeks joint ventures and technology transfer from Pakistan,” the statement said.
Both delegations agreed to intensify business-to-business contacts and exchange of trade delegations to translate political will into “concrete commercial results.”
Uzbekistan, Central Asia’s largest consumer and its second-largest economy, is central to Pakistan’s plans to establish itself as a key transit and trade hub to landlocked Central Asian states.
Islamabad has increasingly eyed greater trade and investment relations with regional allies as it targets sustained economic growth.
