Rules for the Protection of Citizens challenged in court?

A hearing has been conducted on petition filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), for the annulment of the Citizens Protection Rules 2020, and chaired by Chief Justice IHC, Athar Minallah.

According to reports of Baaghi TV, Osama Khawar Advocate has challenged the rules on behalf of citizen Asad Baig. The court issued notices to the Secretary Cabinet Division, Secretary Information and Chairman PTA seeking reply.

It is not the prerogative of the federal government to make rules under Section 37 of the Pakistan Cyber Crimes Act 2016, the lawyer said. It is not the federal government’s prerogative to remove, block or direct online content, the lawyer added.

According to reports of Baaghi TV, the lawyer stated that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority cannot give its powers to the coordinator. Rules on protection of citizens are against the fundamental rights enshrined in the 2020 constitution, Advocate.

The rules also do not set an education limit for the national coordinator, the lawyer said.

Moreover, the lawyer stated that “Making National Coordinator is also against the law. He should be barred from permanent work”.

The Prime Minister has formed a committee to review the rules, lawyer PTA added that the “Rules are not notified”.

The court reportedly linked the ongoing case to a similar case, according to reports.