ICC Note:

Not only has Pakistan declared blasphemous posts on social media illegal and demanded that social media platforms assist the Pakistani government in banning such posts, but now the government is threatening to punish social media companies who refuse to support Pakistan’s censorship campaign. Facebook has stated it will meet with Pakistan’s government officials to discuss the situation. Blasphemy is frequently abused in Pakistan and is used to settle petty disputes rather than address actual blasphemous content. Religious minorities, like Christians, will be especially hurt by laws like this.

3/23/2017 Pakistan (Al Jazeera) – Pakistan will punish social media companies that fail to take action against online blasphemy, the interior minister said, adding that he had requested a meeting with Facebook to discuss the issue.

Pakistan’s government wants social media networks to remove material deemed insulting to Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week warned those posting such content would be “strictly punished”.

“[Blasphemy] is not only a problem for Pakistan. This is an issue about the honour of every Muslim,” said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is also seeking to meet ambassadors from other Muslim countries to tackle the problem.

“If we do not get a response from social media, I do not care about anyone, there is nothing greater than our faith. If social media and especially international social media stays on this route, then we will have to take strong action regarding social media,” said Khan.

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