LHC seeks compliance report in plea against PTA, FIA over social media content

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday took up a contempt of court petition filed against the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over the alleged non-implementation of court directions concerning the removal of blasphemous material from social media platforms.

During the hearing, Justice Sultan Tanveer examined the question of how Pakistani law could be enforced against international social media companies, including YouTube and X, particularly when those platforms do not maintain physical offices in the country.

The court also asked why such companies had set up offices in neighbouring Bangladesh but not in Pakistan.

Court questions implementation of earlier orders

The petition before the court concerns alleged failure by the relevant authorities to act on previous judicial orders relating to the removal of objectionable online content.

At the hearing, Justice Sultan Tanveer raised concerns about the practical difficulties involved in ensuring compliance by global digital platforms operating without a local corporate presence in Pakistan. The judge specifically referred to YouTube and X while discussing the issue of enforceability.

The court further sought an explanation on the apparent difference in regional presence, asking why these companies had established offices in Bangladesh but not in Pakistan.

Authorities directed to submit report

Following the proceedings, Justice Sultan Tanveer directed the relevant authorities to place on record a detailed compliance report regarding the implementation of court orders for the removal of objectionable content across all platforms.

The report is expected to address what steps have been taken in response to the court’s earlier directions and how the authorities are pursuing compliance in relation to social media platforms carrying the material in question.

The matter arose through a contempt petition targeting the heads of the PTA and FIA, with the plea alleging that court orders on the issue had not been implemented.

No further details were provided in the proceedings summary regarding the next date of hearing, but the court’s latest direction makes the compliance report central to the case going forward.

The case highlights the legal and regulatory challenge faced by Pakistani authorities and courts in seeking enforcement against global online platforms that operate in the country without a physical office.

Justice Sultan Tanveer’s observations during the hearing focused on that question while the court simultaneously pressed the authorities to explain the status of compliance with its previous orders on the removal of the content at issue.