A petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court challenging the installation of a firewall and the resulting internet disruptions, arguing that these actions violate citizens’ fundamental rights.
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Senior journalist Hamid Mir, represented by his lawyer Iman Mazari, submitted the petition, seeking to protect basic human rights that have been impacted by the firewall. The petition contends that the installation of the firewall infringes on citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information. It calls for the court to suspend the installation process until all stakeholders are consulted and fundamental rights are safeguarded. Moreover, the petition argues for the recognition of internet access as a fundamental human right crucial for livelihood.
The petition names the Cabinet Secretary, IT Secretary, Interior Secretary, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and the Ministry of Human Rights as respondents, requesting a comprehensive report on the firewall installation and its effects.
