What’s Blasphemous Content material and why should not you be concerned on this?

Social media has given freedom of speech to folks however on the similar time, it has additionally contributed to the unfold of hate speech and pretend information on the platform. Hate Speech and pretend information have created unrest within the society in previous however now the rising blasphemous content material has not solely created disturbance however can be upsetting Muslim beliefs.

Since there’s a distinction between freedom of speech and hurting somebody’s non secular emotions, PTA has made the definition of blasphemy simpler so folks shouldn’t be concerned on this.

PTA’s definition of Blasphemous content material on Social Media:

In accordance with the doc shared, when customers are on-line on totally different social media platforms, they could come throughout issues which are upsetting, outrageous, and unconventional particularly the content material posted with the intent to insult “the faith of any class of individuals” & is in opposition to “glory of Islam”. Such content material is a cognizable offense beneath chapter – XV of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (Act XLVof 1860) (“PPC”).

Additionally, beneath part 295 – C of PPC whoever, defames the sacred title of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad PBUH shall be punished with dying or imprisonment for all times, and shall even be liable to a high-quality.

It’s fairly a delicate subject in Pakistan and in lots of situations, the accused are killed by the mobs earlier than even going through authorized proceedings. So, with a purpose to cease such issues from taking place, PTA is continually searching for such content material that’s of blasphemous nature and in an effort to take action, it has blocked many contents which have lowered blasphemy on social media.

PTA’s function in PECA 2016:

Below part 37 of PECA, PTA has to dam the entry or removing of illegal on-line content material that’s shared by way of any data system in Pakistan. This content material may embody data in opposition to integrity, safety, or protection of Pakistan (anti-state), in opposition to the glory of Islam (blasphemous), hate speech (public order), decency and morality (pornography), contempt of court docket, and defamation or impersonation.

Little doubt, PTA is proactively blocking hyperlinks pertaining to blasphemous content material which is obvious from the decline of importing of blasphemous content material on social media.  The cybercrime wing (CCW) of the Federal Investigation Company (FIA) offered a report revealing the substantial decline within the importing of content material associated to blasphemy and hate speech on social networking websites.

The report mentions that FIA and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) final yr blocked/eliminated 167 accounts for importing blasphemous, hate speech and sectarian content material. This yr, 110 such accounts are blocked.

Why shouldn’t you be concerned in Blasphemous Content material:

Being Muslim, one shouldn’t be concerned in Blasphemous content material as a result of it not solely impacts the non secular emotions of different Muslims but additionally is disliked by Allah. Additionally, protecting within the punishment talked about above, one shouldn’t indulge one’s selves in such actions at any price.

Additionally Learn: Karachi’s Saddar Cell Market Closed Amid Riots Over Blasphemous Occasion