IHC Rebukes FIA For Working Like The Police
The court said that the investigation agency should be shut down if it cannot entertain complaints regarding blasphemous content on social media
Islamabad High Court (IHC) rebuked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for behaving like the police on the complaints regarding publication of blasphemous content on social media.
Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that FIA wasn’t entertaining the complaints regarding blasphemous content. He added that the agency takes years to complete inquiries that could be completed in a day.
IHC Judge Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case while Asad Advocate represented the petitioner.
FIA Cybercrime Additional Director Abdul Rauf and Deputy Director Ayaz Khan also appeared before the court.
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IHC bench remarked that the FIA should be shut down if it has to work like the police in the cases pertaining to blasphemous content on social media.
Justice Farooq said they knew what decision they have to give against FIA in the case.
FIA additional director maintained they didn’t have resources to probe into such cases.
At this, Justice Farooq remarked that the agency should write to the related ministry.
“Let us know if you cannot write it. We will call a high up of interior ministry”, the judge remarked.
The court directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) lawyer to submit the existing rules related to blasphemous content and draft of proposed amendments.
Justice Aamer Farooq said that they wanted to see if PTA had a solution to block blasphemous content.
The court asked the PTA lawyer what steps have India and Bangladesh had taken to block objectionable content on social media.
He replied that the countries had taken quite strict measures.
The counsel informed India has made it mandatory for all social media platforms to open their offices in the respective countries besides deployment of relevant experts.
Or else, the PTA lawyer informed that court that the platforms could not operate in India and Bangladesh.
FIA Additional Director informed the court that they have submitted the report regarding the complaints received against the proliferators of blasphemous content.
He added that a woman has been arrested by the agency on the charges while inquiries into 17 complaints were underway.
The hearing of the case was adjourned until September 22.
