LHC Orders to Ban Blasphemous Content on Google and YouTube

With the recent Ban of YouTube in Pakistan, The Lahore High Court has directed the govt to block all blasphemous content on Search engines including Google and YouTube.

This order was released on Friday by Justice Ijazul Ahsan who also directed the govt to file its response by Nov 8, reported The Express Tribune today.

The leaders of the Jamaat-i-Islami got their petition registered by Liaqat Baloch and Farid Ahmed Paracha of JI, looking for ban on blasphemous content on the Internet.

Hafiz Saeed Petition

The Lahore High Judge released a notice to the govt to response within three weeks on a case registered by Jamaatud Dawa primary chief Hafiz Saeed for directions to the govt to move the Worldwide Court of Justice against the creators of an anti-Islam film. 

Justice Saghir Ahmed Qadri confessed the case for frequent hearings. Advocate AK Dogar, counsel for the petitioners, posted that US President Barack Obama had in a conversation to the United Nations General Assembly condemned the anti-Islam film, but also defended the US constitutional protection for independence of concept.

The petitioner said that simple refusal of the Holocaust was a criminal activity in many European nations. For example, In German writer Ernst Zundel had spent seven years behind bars for showing opposite opinions about the Holocaust.

He said that Pakistan’s international policy needs to be changed and in the mild of Article 40 of the Constitution  which envisages Pakistan building up connections with the Islamic globe and promoting worldwide serenity.

Saeed said that “the relationship of absolute servility” between Pakistan and the US should be declared contrary to the fundamental right to dignity enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution. He said the government should be directed to initiate proceedings in the International Court of Justice against the makers of the anti-Islam movie for violating Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The film makers should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity, he said.

Saeed said that “the connection of overall servility” between Pakistan and the US should be announced in contrast to the essential right to pride enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution He said the govt should be instructed to start process in the Worldwide Judge of Privileges against the creators of the anti-Islam film for breaking Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The filmmakers should be charged for criminal offenses against humankind, he said.