IHC satisfied with govt steps to stop online blasphemy

ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench on Friday expressed satisfaction over the government efforts to eradicate blasphemy from social media, hearing a case of implementing the court judgment of March 31, 2017.

The order reads, "(It is) material progress, as final draft for bringing amendments in "the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016" has been placed for perusal of this court. Apparently, draft covers all aspects, but it (is) for the legislature to deliberate, discuss and approve the amendments, which obviously are being proposed in compliance of judgment dated 31-3-2017 passed by this Court. Since corresponding amendment in the PPC is also required, therefore, Ministry of Law is directed to proceed accordingly".

A special secretary to the ministry of interior also submitted a report showing numerous steps they have taken as yet. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the court that it has blocked 23,558 websites containing blasphemous contents and 763,202 web links containing pornographic material. It is to mention here that the IHC bench in its March 31, 2017 order had directed the PTA to erect a firewall for all such blasphemous and pornographic material. In the last hearing, a director general (DG) IP PTA had told the court that pornography is controllable and they have invited bids in this regard for building a firewall against such immoral and unethical material.

The IHC bench noted, "As far as technical solution (firewall) is concerned, the expression of interest has been invited and there is likelihood of material progress in this regard, which shall be brought into the notice of this Court on or before next date of hearing".

The IHC bench said that this court feels that executive authorities have seriously started to act in order to execute the judgment in its letter and spirit. Advocate General Islamabad Mian Abdur Rauf, Rizwan Malik, Inspector Ziaul Hassan of FIA, legal counsel for Pemra Zeeshan Haider Gondal and a deputy attorney general (DAG) Arshad Mehmood Kiani appeared before the court. Further hearing in this matter will be on March 16.