Facebook pleas record sought

LAHORE Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed of the Lahore High Court on Thursday sought, till May 10, production of the complete record of all previous petitions filed against American social network website 'Facebook which is again venturing to hold contest of the blasphemous caricatures, on May 20. The court passed the order on a petition filed by Muhammad Azhar Siddique, praying to the court for a permanent ban on Facebook website in the territorial limits of Pakistan to register protest against its second attempt to defame the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by way of holding an objectionable and blasphemous contest under the title 2nd Annual Draw Muhammad Day-May 20, 2011. Azhar pleaded to the court that due to holding of fresh competition, Station House Offecer of Civil Lines Police Station be directed to register a criminal case under Section 295-C and other relevant provisions of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against the owners of Facebook and their local agents. Petitioner has sought directions for the federal government to stop display of material with respect to blasphemy of any religion or Holy Prophet on Facebook and all other such websites in Pakistan. He said the government be directed to establish a permanent authority, having legal status, who would monitor such objectionable activities across the world, so that blasphemy of Holy Prophet (PBUH) should be banned forever including the holy personalities of all religions. Siddique requested that Facebook and all similar websites be permanently blocked or banned in Pakistan for airing, placing, visualising caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The court observed that blasphemy of Holy Prophet (PBUH) in any case would not be allowed. It said then the respondents had assured the court that in future no such activity would be allowed on the internet following which the facebook was permitted to re-operate. The government authorities had also informed the court that a protest against the gruesome action was recorded through the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) with the United Nations and America but now the website is again going to hold contest on May 20. After hearing the arguments, the court adjourned the matter and sought record of earlier petitions.

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