Islamabad - While hearing a case about implementing court verdict dated March 31, 2017 related to blasphemy on social media, the Islamabad High Court Friday expressed its satisfaction over the government’s steps to eliminate the chance of misusage.
A single bench of IHC comprising Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui conducted hearing of this matter and adjourned the hearing till March 16.
After hearing, the IHC bench noted in its order: “The 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 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, the Ministry of Law is directed to proceed accordingly.”
During the hearing, a special secretary to the Ministry of Interior also submitted a report showing numerous steps they have taken so far. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the court that it has blocked 23,558 websites containing blasphemous contents and 763,202 web links containing pornographic material.
It was March 31, 2017, when the IHC order had directed PTA to erect a firewall for all such blasphemous and pornographic material.
On Friday, the IHC bench also 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 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, Special Secretary Ministry of Interior, Inspector FIA Zia-ul-Hassan, and Legal Counsel for PEMRA Zeeshan Haider Gondal and Deputy Attorney General Arshad Mehmood Kiani appeared before the court.
Petitioner Salman Shahid through his counsel Muhammad Tariq Asad Advocate had been seeking blockage of blasphemous pages on social media and directions for the government to initiate legal proceedings against the page administrators.
