Pakistan Approaches Facebook, US Govt to Nab Blasphemers

Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said that Facebook administration has been asked to cooperate in tracing the criminals behind the blasphemy while cooperation from the United States Administration was also being sought through US Embassy in Pakistan in this regard.

Minister said culprits of blasphemy were enemies of humanity and those responsible for this intolerable act will be dealt with iron hands and brought to book.

Nisar said that the ministry would go to any length to catch the culprits responsible for advertising such content on the social media. The process would not be conducted at expense of someone innocent, he asserted and said that several posts on the social media platforms have been blocked.

The government was fully prepared to take strict action against blasphemers and whole nation stands with the government in this fight, he said this while addressing an inaugural ceremony of Facilitation Center, established by Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration in Islamabad.

The facilities such as international driving license, computerized domicile and some others would be provided at this one window Centre.

Ch Nisar said the government was making efforts to prevent blasphemous material on social media and in this regard mentioned meetings with officials of Ministry of Information Technology and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), adding majority of such sites have been blocked.

Meanwhile, he said Facebook administration has been asked to cooperate in tracing the criminals behind the blasphemy while cooperation from the United States Administration was also being sought through US Embassy in Pakistan in this regard.

The Minister also urged the international community to have broad consultations on the issue of blasphemy as it has become a critical matter for the world. Social media sites should cooperate to prevent uploading of any blasphemous content, he added.

At the same time, Ch. Nisar asked all Muslims countries to practice unity against sordid conspiracies against Islam as the matter of blasphemy hurts feelings of all Muslims worldwide.

“Ridiculing a religion in the name of freedom of expression should not be allowed,” he said, adding that intelligence agencies were investigating to identify elements involved in blasphemous activities.

He said eleven people, who posted their comments on the blasphemous sites have already been identified and process of their investigation has started. Concerned authorities were also in contact with Interpol to interrogate some people abroad.

The Minister said every option will be used to remove blasphemous material from Facebook and other social media websites under the directions of Prime Minister.

Nisar said a senior officer at Embassy of Pakistan in Washington has been given responsibility to speed up efforts to get required information from Facebook management. Besides that, services of prominent and internationally known lawyer were also being hired to get legal opinion on the matter.