LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has directed the Punjab government and other involved parties to respond to a petition concerning an alleged video involving Punjab’s Minister for Information, Azma Bukhari. The case is being closely monitored, with Chief Justice Aliya Neelum presiding over the proceedings.
During the hearing, the FIA’s lawyer informed the court of the recent arrest of Muhammad Shafiq in Gujrat, a suspect linked to the case. When questioned by Chief Justice Neelum about Shafiq’s involvement in the creation of the alleged video, the lawyer indicated that the investigation was still ongoing, with potential for identifying additional suspects. Chief Justice Neelum highlighted the video’s origins from a social media account and acknowledged the role of social media in contemporary communication. However, she underscored the necessity of addressing harmful content effectively to prevent misuse.
The court also learned that Twitter has been banned in Pakistan since February 17, with no Twitter representative currently present in the country. An FIA officer disclosed that a letter had been sent to the U.S. Embassy concerning the issue. Chief Justice Neelum requested that this letter be presented to the court and questioned the delay in addressing the matter. She also inquired about the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Twitter services in Pakistan.
The federal lawyer cited challenges in controlling VPN usage, which has complicated efforts to address the situation. Chief Justice Neelum suggested exploring solutions from regions like the UAE, where VPN use is restricted. The Lahore High Court has adjourned the hearing until August 29, allowing time for the Punjab government and relevant parties to provide their responses and for further investigation into the matter.
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