IHC to resume hearing in petition seeking internet access in Parachinar today.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will Monday (today) resume hearing in a petition seeking access to internet in Parachinar district which was an Agency in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice AtharMinallah will conduct hearing of the petition filed by a petitioner who is a student belonging to District Parachinar which was an Agency in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The Agency was merged as a District in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Previously, Syed Muhammad Tayyab Deputy Attorney General along with M. Riaz, Section Officer, Ministry of Interior on behalf of the Federation appeared before the court and sought some more time to submit para-wise comments in this matter.

The IHC bench noted in its order, 'However, it appears that there is no refusal on part of the Federal Government to extend the internet facilities to the inhabitants of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas which now stand merged.'

'However, it appears that due to the exceptional conditions that had prevailed in the past, the respective Governments and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority may require time to develop the infrastructure in some affected areas,' added the IHC bench.

The court continued that it is noted that merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas with the province of KP and abolishing the notorious Frontier Crimes Regulations are pivotal developments which have given the inhabitants protection of rights guaranteed under the Constitution. After suffering for decades, particularly due to lawlessness, insurgencies and mis-governance, peace has been restored. The restoration of peace and establishing writ of the State has been achieved because of the enormous sacrifices of the people of the merged areas, the Armed Forces and civilian authorities.

According to the court order, 'The people of the merged Federally Administered Tribal Areas have suffered for...