Pakistan: PM Sharif Orders ‘Blasphemous’ Social Media Targetted

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered all necessary measures be taken to remove social media content insulting Islam, the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures.

“All necessary measures should be undertaken in accordance with the judicial guidelines to take down blasphemous pages from social media,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office said March 14.

Separately, lawmakers in the National Assembly called for authorities to take strict and prompt action against those responsible for blasphemous pages and resolved to create a 10-member special committee to investigate.

“This House … demands the government identify the culprits and stop the uploading of such material on social media,” said the resolutions.

Parliamentarians reiterated their pledge to protect and safeguard the dignity and respect of the Prophet Mohammed at any cost and take on disgruntled elements who use social media to spread their views.

Father Morris Jalal, the founder and program director of Catholic TV in Lahore, supported the removal of Facebook pages targeting any religion, but opposed a complete ban on social media.

“It is time to implement the cyber crime laws aimed at curbing hate speech and religious hatred. Strict control, not complete closure, is the only solution,” he told ucanews.com.