A judge from the LHC has voluntarily withdrawn himself from presiding over a case involving a firewall and a WMS.

The matter has now been referred back to the Chief Justice for additional proceedings.

The case was filed at the High Court through counsel Azhar Siddique, demanding legal action against the execution of the system.

Earlier, Hamid Mir, a top journalist connected with a private news station, filed a plea in Islamabad High Court against the installation of a firewall and internet shutdown through his lawyer, Imaan Mazari.

The applicant, in his appeal, said that the installation of the firewall evidently caused a substantial decline in internet speed, affecting the youth, who are the backbone of the digital economy.

The petitioner sought that the installation of firewalls, which could potentially influence the fundamental rights of citizens, be suspended and noted that such installations should be carried out only after consulting relevant parties and assuring the protection of fundamental rights.

recognisedAdditionally, the petitioner argued that access to the internet for livelihood purposes be recognized as a fundamental human right under the Constitution.