Interior Ministry submits reply in petition seeking internet in Parachinar, says it has no jurisdiction.

ISLAMABAD -- The Interior Ministry Monday submitted its reply before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) saying that it has no jurisdiction while 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 conducted 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).

After receiving the Interior ministry and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's replies, the court sought clarity on its jurisdiction from the petitioner's counsel. The IHC bench directed the petitioner's counsel to seek judicial assistance in light of the Supreme Court's recent verdict on the matter.

The counsel adopted that internet services have been suspended in tribal areas since 2016. He contended that universities are initiating online classes but the lack of internet services can result in a lost semester.

Justice Athar remarked that they had ruled that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) cannot legally suspend services but the Supreme Court annulled the decision. He added that the high court could not proceed without taking the apex court's decision into consideration. He directed the petitioner's counsel to read the SC's verdict and satisfy the court accordingly.

The Chief Justice said that the...