Internet facility in tribal areas case: IHC seeks written comments from interior ministry

Abdullah Momand

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday while directing the ministry of interior to submit a written comments regarding suspension of mobile internet service in merged tribal districts, Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the region isn’t Kashmir and all basic human rights services provide in the region.

The Chief Justice Islamabad high court mentioned that the court already clarified this issue in earlier hearings with basic human rights and no one can suspend the basic human rights of any individual adding that the erstwhile FATA gone through hostility and war like situation and issues will normalize with the passage of time.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah conducted hearing on the petition moved by a student seeking internet facility in the tribal areas for the education purpose.

During the course of proceeding, he said the provision of internet facility was basic right to the citizens and adjourned hearing of the case till May 11.

It may be mentioned here that the petitioner had pleaded the court that the students of the area were facing difficulties in getting on online education due to lack of internet facility in the wake of coronavirus.

He prayed the court for the issuance of an order for the provision of the facility.

However, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had adopted the stance that the interior ministry had imposed the ban on internet facility in the tribal areas during the war on terror.

At this, the court sought reply from the interior ministry within one-week.