Blasphemous content: IHC directs to bring bloggers back to Pakistan on basis of strong evidence
The court has further directed to constitute a committee for blocking blasphemous content.
ISLAMABAD (Daily Dunya) - Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday has directed agencies to bring back bloggers to justice who have escaped abroad if solid evidence exists against them.
A single bench of the court, headed by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, announced a short decision and instructed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to look into the matter on merit.
Court has further directed to constitute a committee for blocking blasphemous content on social media. The committee would be further empowered to identify culprits and to take action against them according to law.
IHC also directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to evolve a clear mechanism for the removal of controversial content on the social media. IHC also instructed to make amendments in cybercrime within one year.
Detailed verdict would be announced later.
Earlier, the Interior Minister told media that Facebook has assured Pakistan that concerns about blasphemous content on the social media site will be addressed and a company delegation will visit this week to discuss the issue with the government.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier this month ordered that blasphemous content on social media be removed or blocked and that anyone posting such material be punished, and the government requested a meeting with Facebook.
Blasphemy is a criminal offence in the country and can carry the death penalty.
