Facebook removed 85% blasphemous content on Pakistan's request, interior ministry tells IHC

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court was told on Monday that at the request of Pakistan, Facebook administration has removed 85 per cent of blasphemous content from the social networking website.

During the hearing, Interior Secretary Arif Khan said that Facebook had taken Pakistan’s request positively and was blocking blasphemous content on the social networking site.

'Only 15 per cent of such content is remaining' he said in his report.

The secretary said that banning Facebook, was not the solution adding that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has apprehended three suspects for their allegedly publishing blasphemous content on social media.

Authorities seized mobile phones, laptops and computers from the suspects’ possession and sent them for forensic examination. They said that the suspects have been arrested on the suspicion of sharing and spreading blasphemous content via social media.

The secretary told the court the matter was deliberated by ambassadors of 27 Muslim countries and a joint investigation team has been constituted to probe the matter.

Justice Siddiqui appreciated convening a meeting of ambassadors to brainstorm the question; however, he added, 'Why was the ambassador of the country where this activity actually took place, not invited?'

Secretary Interior responded, 'Pakistani embassy located in Washington raised the issue.'

Justice Siddiqui said the court will not intervene in the investigations.

'Where are IT expert, Ahsan Iqbal, minister for religious affairs? The entire government has left the job to Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan,' Justice Siddiqui voiced displeasure.

'Will Anusha Rehman tell the court as to why the issue has not been resolved thus far?' he asked.

The Islamabad High Court is keenly looking into the matter regarding the blasphemous content on social media. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already ordered blocking any sacrilegious content while on the other hand, hearing of the case has been adjourned till March 31.