Nisar seeks Facebook, Twitter assistance in tackling blasphemous content

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday called on the administration of social networking websites Facebook and Twitter to share information with Pakistan about people behind blasphemous content.

Speaking with the media, Nisar stressed that offenders could not be caught without the assistance of Facebook and other social networking websites.

Calling those committing blasphemy enemies of humanity, Nisar stated that this had become an international issue. The interior minister said that such content had been posted online for several years and it was surprising that no other Muslim country had raised this issue.

Promising to take all necessary steps against blasphemous content, the interior minister said Pakistan would represent the global Muslim community on this issue.

The interior minister said Pakistan would be seeking legal counsel as this had become an international issue, adding that a lawyer well-versed with international law is required.

Chaudhry Nisar said he would ensure that no one innocent would be accused while at the same time those committing this crime are held accountable.

Nisar said he had been informed that several blogs had been taken down and he had also directed the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to send out notices and remove the content which remained online.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed Chaudhry Nisar Ali to take all possible measures to block blasphemous content on social media.

Terming ‘blasphemous’ content on social media as a “nefarious attempt to play with the emotions of the Muslim Ummah”, the Prime Minister had instructed authorities to take effective measures to remove all blasphemous content from social media and prevent any such content from circulating on the digital space in the future.

He also called on the authorities to track down those circulating blasphemous content on social media.

Will take MQM founder issue to its logical conclusion

Nisar reiterated his resolve to bring MQM founder Altaf Hussain to justice, adding that he has been involved in serious crimes for the past 20 years.

“An innocent Pakistani was murdered in London. We will continue to take up the issue [with the British government],” he said.

He asked how those who chant anti-Pakistan slogans can be permitted to do politics in the country.

Nisar said the matter would be taken up with his British counterpart, who will visit Pakistan next week.

“We have contacted Interpol regarding the matter,” the minister said, adding that the issue will be taken to its logical conclusion.

Will treat spot-fixing as a crime

Coming down hard on the players involved in the Pakistan Super League spot-fixing scandal, Nisar said that such players have become a blemish on the country’s honour.

He said that it is a serious issue, emphasising that it is about the country’s image and honour, and not just about the Pakistan Cricket Board. “It is not merely a personal act [on the part of the players],” he said.

The interior minister said that apart from the investigation being carried out by the PCB, a parallel probe is being carried by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). “PCB can ban players; it cannot send them to jail or file an FIR against them,” he said, adding that the FIA has been directed to treat the issue as a crime.