Punjab PA urges govt to take action against uploaders of blasphemous content on social media

LAHORE: The Provincial Assembly of Punjab on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday urging the government to take action against the elements uploading sacrilegious material on social media.

The resolution, moved by Khudeja Omer Farooqui of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, was endorsed by Provincial Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan and Leader of Opposition Mian Mehmudur Rashid.

The House also asked the government to act under Section 295-C of the Constitution against the social media blasphemers and evolve a permanent mechanism for monitoring blasphemous content on social networking sites.

The House appealed to the government to award deterrent punishment to the persons involved in uploading blasphemous content on social media.

The resolution said circulation of blasphemous material on the social media was aimed at creating anarchy in the country. "Our constitution honour the rights of freedom of expression but it does not allow the profanity of any holy personality," it said.

Endorsing the resolution, a number of lawmakers suggested some restrictions on social media to stop circulation of objectionable material.

They said Pakistan came into being in the name of Islam and its constitution provided a guarantee to respect all Prophets, sacred personalities of all religions and Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his family members as well as his companions.

However, they said, some insane individuals were hell-bent on committing blasphemy to create chaos in the country.

Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said a powerful committee should be formed for suggesting strict punishments for those committing blasphemy.