Senator Kamran clashes with PTA chairman over blocking of internet sans rules

Senator Kamran Murtaza and PTA chairman exchanged harsh words during meeting of Senate Standing Committee on IT which met under the chair of Senator Palwasha Khan to review internet issues in the country, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Ministry of Information Technology’s legal member and PTA Chairman briefed the participants about the causes and solution of internet issue. 

During the meeting, Senator Kamran Murtaza questioned from PTA chief “where it is written in its act that PTA can close the internet in a particular area?

Member Legal Ministry of IT replied that PTA  act does not specify any specific area. PTA chairman claimed that it is written in the rules that Interior Ministry can direct PTA for blocking of internet services in specific area. Senator Kamran Murtaza added, “if it is not written in the law, how can PTA block the internet”. 

“If it is wrong, why the governments were directing PTA to block internet services for the last 9 years”, Chairman PTA replied. 

PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman said that since 2016, on the orders of Interior Ministry, the Internet is shut down. He further added that before his joining, the same practice is going on in PTA. 

Chairman PTA told the participants that today he learnt for the first time that internet shutdowns are illegal. 

He said the final legal opinion in this regard can be given by Ministry of Law and Interior Ministry. 

“I can tell you the date and time when the internet were blocked during the last 9 years on the orders of the governments”, Chairman PTA told Senators. 

“We are not the government, we are the parliament”, Senator Kamran Murtaza. All of you have been in government for some time, Chairman PTA told Senator Kamran Murtaza. 

Senator Humayun Mohmand said that the rules regarding the blocking of internet are mentioned in the content. 

Special Secretary Ministry of IT said if the government says to block all online content in an area, then all online content in an area is blocked by shutting down the internet. 

PTA Chairman said social media apps were also blocked several times on orders of Supreme Court and High Court. 

Chairman PTA questioned from the Senators to tell whether the shutdown of the Internet on February 8 election day was wrong? 

“It has been many years since the rules were made”, Secretary IT & Telecom. “Can the rules go beyond the Act”, Senator Kamran Murtaza questioned. 

Senator Kamran Murtaza told IT Ministry members, “if internet is blocked on Supreme Court's decision, then IT Ministry should file a review petition. “Isn't it the job of IT Ministry to tell the Supreme Court that blocking of internet has not been mentioned in the Act or rules, Senator Humayun Mohmand questioned. 

Chairman PTA said, “PTA receives 500 complaints against social media content every day. He said on Interior Ministry’s orders PTA requests social media platforms to block content. 

Chairman PTA said Social Media Platforms block 80 percent content and 20pc content is not blocked. 

Secretary IT & Telecom said, “it has been many years since the rules were made.” Can the rules go beyond the Act, Senator Kamran questioned. 

Senator Kamran suggested IT Ministry to file review petition against Supreme Court's decision. Senator Humayun Mohmand said, “isn't it the job of IT Ministry to tell the Supreme Court that this thing is not in the Act or Rules.”