PESHAWAR: A case was put forward at the Islamabad High Court for providing 3G and 4G services for online classes in the tribal areas.

Islamabad High Court issued notices to the Secretary of Information Technology and Chairman of PTA.

Competent officer should be appointed to submit a written report at the next hearing, the court said.

The court also demanded an explanation for denying internet access to the petitioner and other residents of the area.

“Provision of internet access is a basic constitutional right of the people,” a written order of the court said.

Abdul Rahim Wazir, a lawyer, was presented by Advocate Court by former Namal University student Syed Mohammad.

“Students are at home in tribal areas because of the lockdown,” says lawyer Abdul Rahim Wazir. “Internet access for online classes is available to students all over Pakistan. The petitioner and thousands of other students are fearing losing the academic year due to the lack of internet access,” he went on.

We appealed to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister KP and the Governor but there was no hearing, said the lawyer.

This is a matter of fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution, remarked Chief Justice Athar Manullah.

Former FATA district students have been protesting for the last ten days, added the lawyer.

“If people of Peshawar, Lahore, Quetta, Karachi are granted internet access for online education, why can’t these areas?” asked the lawyer.

The court adjourned the hearing till April 23, seeking a response from the involved parties.