The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought report from the federal government and the information ministry in a petition seeking permanent ban on Facebook for hosting blasphemous caricatures. The court directed Deputy Attorney General, Ziaul Qamar Bhatti to ensure the needful is done by the next hearing on June 24.
Mohammad & Ahmad, a public interest litigation firm, through its Chairman Mohammad Azhar Siddique filed this petition and prayed for a permanent ban on access to Facebook for hosting a fresh blasphemous caricature drawing contest world over under a title "2nd Annual Draw Muhammad Day-May 20, 2011".
The petitioner prayed the court that Facebook and all similar websites be permanently blocked or banned in Pakistan for airing, placing, visualising obscene caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The petitioner further said the government should be directed to establish a permanent authority, having legal status that would monitor such objectionable activities across the world.