Online blasphemy: Will summon PM if I have to, says IHC judge

Justice Siddiqui asks govt about efforts to bring back Pakistanis posting blasphemous content while living abroad

Islamabad High Court's Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui said on Friday that he would summon the prime minister if he had to for the removal of "blasphemous content" on social media, Express News reported.

During a follow-up hearing to the court's earlier verdict wherein it had ordered a crackdown on those circulating blasphemous content on social media, the IHC judge inquired as to whether or not the government had made efforts to bring back the Pakistanis who were posting blasphemous content while living abroad.

The interior secretary, representing the government in the court, informed the judge that the ministry of religious affairs had formed a committee for this purpose.



Besides, he added, a summary prepared in connection with dealing with blasphemous content would be sent to the prime minister soon.

The judge observed that the government had not complied with the court's verdict. He said the government could have sought the assistance of intelligence agencies to tackle the issue but it seemed to be succumbing to international pressure.

Justice Siddiqui warned that he would summon the prime minister in connection with the case if needed and also issue contempt of court notices to interior ministry officials.

The judge adjourned the proceedings till December 11 ordering the interior secretary to submit a detailed progress report.

In his 116-page verdict issued in August this year, Justice Siddiqui, citing references from the Holy Quran and Hadith, ordered the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to devise a strategy to curb blasphemous material on social networking websites.

In the judgement, it was noted that certain Facebook pages were campaigning against Islam.

It also read that individuals must not take the law in their own hands.

The judge noted that punishing somebody involved in blasphemy was the jurisdiction of the departments concerned and the rule of law must prevail.

In March, Justice Siddiqui ordered placing the name of alleged blasphemers on the exit control list so that those involved in the “stinking and criminal activities may not escape from lawful proceedings.”

He also also directed authorities to initiate criminal cases against those committing blasphemy and to form a joint investigation team to look into the matter, adding that those “who do not fulfill the criteria under the law to be a Muslim should not be made a part of the whole process.”

The petition which drew the court’s attention to blasphemous content on certain social media pages was filed by Salman Shahid, the son-in-law of Lal Masjid's Maulana Abdul Aziz, through his counsel Tariq Asad, the president of the Shuhada Foundation, which is also affiliated with the Lal Masjid cleric.