ISLAMABAD: National Assembly was informed on Friday that legislation is underway to localize You Tube in Pakistan to check blasphemous material and avoid future resentment against the website.
Minister of State for Information Technology Anousha Rehman told the House during Question Hour that a draft bill is with National Assembly's Standing Committee on IT and once this bill is passed by the Parliament the government shall pursue Google to give Pakistan rights to locally manage it.
She said in some others Muslim countries You Tube is still banned and in the countries where it is operating, has been done after proper legislation and localization of You Tube. "By the time these websites are operating under the American law and do not fall in the ambit of Pakistani laws. Therefore, it is necessary to bring them under Pakistani law to avoid posting on them objectionable material."
Earlier, Parliamentary Secretary cabinet Division informed the House that there is also a verdict of the Supreme Court and the government is proceeding for legislation in the light of the Apex Court decision.
"These websites had hurt emotions of Muslims across the world and in Pakistan also. Therefore, proper legislation in the light of court decision was required before opening them," he said, in response to queries of MNAs Shazia Marri and Shams-un-Nisa.
He rejected the impression that the government did not want to open up this website but it will be done after proper legislation. "It may be international agenda or desire of some NGOs to get You Tube opened so it could again hurt feelings of the Muslims."
He said as there was no technical solution available to control objectionable material on You Tube, therefore in compliance of the court orders it was totally blocked. Moreover, the Google had removed the full length movie "Innocence of Muslims" after a US court order but smaller contents are still available.
In this situation, the Parliamentary Secretary said, an Intermediary Liability Protection was required to be added in the law as has been done in other countries.
Therefore, he said, law in the process of making through Prevention of Electronic Crime Bill 2014 that will help localize You Tube in Pakistan. "Once localized, they will respond to court orders from Pakistan."
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