Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday granted 10 days time as the last chance to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for filing comments on petition seeking ban on explicit material, websites on the internet.
A division bench, comprising of Chief Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, was hearing a petition filed by Human Rights activist Syed Iqbal Kazmi who submitted that obscene material, websites were available on the internet, but Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) & PTA failed to block these sites, resulting in increasing number of cases of sexual violence against women.
He submitted that respondents were bound to prevent printing, publication, circulation and display of obscene literature and advertisements. But no efforts were being made for the eradication of such social evils in the society.
He prayed to direct respondents to block such websites containing obscene material, take action against internet companies found violating laws.
On Tuesday, Standing Counsel requested for time despite being granted time earlier by the SHC on different occasions since April 2011 for filing comments of respondents.
SHC division bench order said, “On May 10, 2011 Ashiq Raza, then DAG had requested time to call comments from respondents. On August 9, 2011 Ashraf Mughal, DAG, sought two weeks time. Today, Standing Counsel requests further time to call for comments from Respondent 2 (PTA). As a last chance 10 days time is enlarged. In case no comments are filed this Court would impose cost and pass such order as may be appropriate.”
Via Express Tribune
