LAHORE

The Lahore High Court observed on Friday that, in this era of civilization and modernism, attempts to hurt religious feelings of Muslims in world are not only rampant but the same have increased manifold.

Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry gave the observation while disposing of several petitions against publication/display of blasphemous material by a social networking website “Facebook” among others.

The CJ directed the federal government to agitate the matter at the forums of the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).

The CJ regretted that the lethargic and sluggish attitude of the government functionaries by not responding to such material with promptitude had raised number of many questions about their commitment towards their duties.

In the detailed order, the CJ observed that an inter-ministerial committee, formed by the then prime minister in year 2006, would keep a vigilant eye on the websites and take action if any objectionable material concerning religious faith of any group was published/displayed by any website. In case of failure, the authorities concerned would be taken to task and disciplinary action would be taken against them, the CJ said.

He observed: “With a heavy heart, I am bewildered to say that in this era of civilization and modernism, the attempts to hurt the religious feelings of the followers of a typical religion, especially the Muslims, are not only rampant but the same have increased many-fold.” He said the inter-ministerial committee and a crisis cell had been established but both were not even moved to take any step towards the blockage of such blasphemous material against the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) until and unless an order was passed by this court.

If China had imposed complete ban on the said website, why the government of Pakistan was so hesitant in this regard, the CJ asked. He ordered the government to strive for legislation on the issue on the lines

already adopted by other Islamic countries in addition to China.

If such blasphemous acts are committed again the government will sue the authorities concerned before the appropriate forums, he said.

With these observations and directions, the CJ disposed of three writ petitions filed by Islamic Lawyers Forum, the Judicial Activism Panel and others. Meanwhile, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed on a fresh petition against Facebook summoned deputy attorney general on May 18 for assistance after the judgment and restraining orders dated February 28, 2011 passed by the chief justice.

