Social media ban for civil servants challenged.

ISLAMABAD -- The decision of the Ministry of Interior of imposing a ban on government officers over usage of social media accounts has been challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday.

A citizen Muhammad Owais filed the plea through his counsel Mian Asif Mehmood. The Cabinet division and Ministry of Law and Justice were made respondents in the application.

The petitioner stated that the decision affected the right of freedom of expression awarded in the Constitution and contended that the public servants around the world use social media sites for public connectivity.

The petitioner told the court that the account of Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat on social media website Twitter was also blocked, citing that he used to resolve public complaints received there immediately. Petitioner stated that the citizens could be deprived of urgent actions towards their complaints due to the ban.

The applicant said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and Inter Services Public Relations DG had social media accounts through which they were linked with the public.

He pleaded the court to void the ministry's decision and order...