Pakistan Asks Facebook To Help Fight Blasphemy

[naomi24]

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif voiced his support for a wide-ranging crackdown on blasphemous content on social media describing blasphemy as an "unpardonable offence".
Critics say blasphemy laws, which allow the death penalty in some cases, are often misused to oppress minorities.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar reasserted Pakistan's determination to tackle the issue, saying he would take "any steps necessary" to make sure Pakistan's message got across. He said he had asked officials to liaise with the FBI in the US and with social media platforms on a daily basis. "Facebook and other service providers should share all information about the people behind this blasphemous content with us," he is quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39300270

A reasonable request - or should Pakistan be reminded that its outdated laws don't apply worldwide?

[Jackdaw33]

The latter.

[Mothman]

Pakistan should be told to do one - if their god needs the protection of mere mortals he's not much of a god is he? In any form of the real world imaginary friends should not trump freedom of speech.

[Old_Geezer]

Since blaphemy is a ridiculous concept and ought not be on anyone's laws books, I have little sympathy with a crackdown on opinion. On the TV text it stated that it was being used to oppress minorities. Would be interesting to know how.

[naomi24]

OG, I think it's a matter of selective perception. This is interesting:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37641354

[Old_Geezer]

Hmm... seems like the suggestion is perjury is used to hit out at others one has an argument with. It isn't the "blasphemy" that is the problem then, but the ridiculous laws and penalties around it in some parts of the world. Even when the claim of speaking out against someone's religion is true, it ought not be an issue. IMO some cultures are very clearly more in need of advancement than others.

[naomi24]

OG, I seem to recall that the lady in question in that article is Christian and other women with whom she’d argued accused her of blasphemy – and that was the charge upon which she was found guilty.

[RATTER15]

FB should tell him he can stick his views and his religion where a monkey sticks his nuts!!

[youngmafbog]

It will happen one day, the liberal elite have their heads in the sand. Once the Islamic caliphate is established across Europe (next 10 years maybe?) all this will follow. Sharia Courts black clothing oppression murdering of homosexuals and adulters etc etc.

[youngmafbog]

I now await the name calling of Racist and Xenophobe.

[jno]

they should just block FB the way China does.

[steg]

They are outdated, they were made by their British rulers back in 1800's when Pakistan was part of India, aye when Britain thought their laws should apply worldwide

[youngmafbog]

And they were wrong which is why we should learn from our mistakes rather than use them as a way of being anti British as many do.

[naomi24]

steg, I’m not sure that, at least within fairly recent history, the penalty for blasphemy in this country was death but even though Pakistan is in control of its own laws and has had ample time to amend them, why not blame the British anyway? Everyone else seems to.

[Jackdaw33]

The penalty for blasphemy in Britain was never death. In any case the blasphemy laws only applied to Christianity; blasphemy against any other religion was never recognised.

[naomi24]

jackdaw, from wiki: //The last person hanged for blasphemy in Great Britain was Thomas Aikenhead aged 20, in Scotland in 1697. //

Pakistan is taking its time catching up.

[steg]

As I said naomi , they ARE outdated.

Who's blaming the british.?

[naomi24]

steg, I thought you were.

[steg]

Nope, no me

[naomi24]

ok.