Punjab Assembly session: Lawmakers demand action against blasphemous websites

Minority MPAs also throw their weight behind PML-Q’s resolution.

LAHORE: Both the treasury and opposition benches, including minority MPAs, unanimously passed a resolution demanding exemplary punishment for people running blasphemous sites on social media.

Legislators from different political parties were on the same page when it came to the resolution presented by PML-Q legislator Khadija Umar in the Punjab Assembly.

He condemned the heinous activities, which according to him, hurt the sentiments of Muslims.

Minorities Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu called for practical action, saying minorities always stood with their Muslim brothers against such acts and demanded strict action against any perpetrators.

Ten legislators of the treasury benches and four from the opposition, including Mehmoodur Rasheed, fully endorsed the resolution.

Dr Waseem Akhtar of the Jamaat-e-Islami said the government and its institutions were not working to stop such material on social media.

Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Mehmoodur Rasheed questioned the absence of institutions such as the Religious Affairs Ministry and Pemra in such matters.

He urged MPAs not to stop working against blasphemous content even after getting the resolution passed. He urged them to follow up on the subject.

PML-N’s Majid Zahoor said the assemblies should be dissolved if they fail to defend the honour of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Law Minister Rana Sanaullah suggested those creating ‘Fitna’ or ‘Fasaad’ should face the death penalty.

A committee comprising eight to 10 members will be formed, after getting the approval of the house, to monitor departments working on these issues and submit report at every session.

The deputy speaker said “today we will form a committee on the matter”. Several legislators wanted to debate over the subject, but the speaker did not allow them.

Resolution

“Some perpetrators are making efforts to ignite differences by propagating blasphemous material through social media. Law enforcement agencies and the government machinery have failed to take strict action against those committing such heinous crimes.” Also, the resolution asked for a monitoring system to be set to look over social media and other resources. It added all pages with blasphemous material and links with should be blocked.

Two other resolutions involving an industrial zone being set up in Bahawalpur and a bridge to be constructed over River Jhelum at Chuk Nazam were unanimously passed over the. The latter will benefit Jhelum district and Sargodha.

One was not accepted and the other was withdrawn. Two resolutions remained pending.

The Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill 2017 and Punjab Child Marriage Restraints (Amendment) Bill 2017 also went into pending  as the movers were not present in the house. The session was adjourned will 10am on Wednesday (today).

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2017.