ICC Note:

Pakistan rapidly advanced from rhetoric to action in regards to punishing people suspected of posting ‘blasphemous’ content on social media platforms. On Friday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested three people suspected of posting blasphemous content on social media. In addition to facing a trial in an anti-terrorism court and a seven-day imprisonment, the victims also had their computers confiscated. This could be the start of a frightening and illegitimate hunt to persecute religious minorities.

3/24/2017 Pakistan (Daily Pakistan) – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday arrested three persons allegedly involved in a case regarding publishing blasphemous content on social media.

The arrested were presented before an anti-terrorism court where they were sent on seven-day remand in custody of the FIA.

The authorities also recovered laptops from their possession that have been seized for forensic analysis.

It may be mentioned here that Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Shaukut Aziz Siddiqui has been hearing a petition seeking the removal of blasphemous content from social media.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Interior informed the IHC that one accused had been arrested in connection with posting blasphemous content on the social media, while names of several had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).

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