By Theodore Shoebat
The government is Pakistan wants to work with Facebook to track down those who blaspheme Islam, as we read in one report:
Pakistan will punish social media companies that fail to take action against online blasphemy, the interior minister said, adding that he had requested a meeting with Facebook to discuss the issue.
Pakistan’s government wants social media networks to remove material deemed insulting to Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week warned those posting such content would be “strictly punished”.
“[Blasphemy] is not only a problem for Pakistan. This is an issue about the honour of every Muslim,” said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is also seeking to meet ambassadors from other Muslim countries to tackle the problem.
“If we do not get a response from social media, I do not care about anyone, there is nothing greater than our faith. If social media and especially international social media stays on this route, then we will have to take strong action regarding social media,” said Khan.
He did not specify what action might be taken.
Those convicted of blasphemy could face the death penalty under Pakistani law.
Right groups say the law is frequently abused in a country where Islam is a highly sensitive subject, and where even rumours of blasphemy have sparked deadly riots.
Analysts say the blasphemy law has been abused to muzzle government critics.
Facebook is the most popular social network in the country. Khan said that the company was “ready to send a delegation to Pakistan” and would do so once a date was agreed.