Suspending TikTok is a violation of constitutional rights: IHC

Islamabad: Pakistani Islamabad High Court (IHC) has said that suspending Chinese App TikTok was a violation of the rights enshrined in the country’s Constitution.

The IHC directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to justify the ban it had imposed on TikTok.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, hearing a petition against the ban on the video-streaming app, asked: “Why did PTA impose the ban?”

Justice Minallah also directed the telecommunication regulator to satisfy the court on next hearing.

The court ordered the government and PTA to submit names of social media experts. The bench noted that PTA submitted affidavits in the Peshawar and Sindh high courts stating that one percent of the content being posted to TikTok was objectionable.

The top IHC judge observed that the underprivileged earn a living by showcasing their talent on the app. “Did the PTA seek any expert opinion before blocking the app?” he questioned.

“Blocking the app is a violation of the rights enshrined in the country’s Constitution, the court noted and adjourned the case until November 22,” he asserted.

At the previous hearing, the Islamabad High Court was informed that the PTA and TikTok officials were engaged in talks to lift the ban on the video-sharing app.