VPN Ban Controversy: Islamabad High Court Issues Notices to Interior Secretary and PTA

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in response to a petition challenging the federal government’s ban on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over the hearing of the petition filed by citizen Mubashir Qayyum against the ban. The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the federal government’s decision to restrict VPN access has directly affected citizens, with particular reference to the complete ban on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The petition called for the annulment of the Ministry of Interior’s notification dated November 15, arguing that it violated fundamental rights.
The court adjourned the hearing indefinitely after issuing notices to the PTA and the Ministry of Interior for their response.