Blasphemous cartoons: Supreme Court hears petitions seeking blockage of website

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday took up two petitions seeking an order for blocking a foreign-origin website, showing blasphemous sketches.
The court issued a notice to Attorney General Makhdoom Ali Khan to appear on March 13 in connection with the petitions after discussing the matter with the concerned departments. The petitions have been separately filed by Maulvi Iqbal Haider and Dr Imran Uppal. The bench comprises Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Faqir Mohammad Khokhar and Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman informed the court through Deputy Attorney General that websites did not fall within the sphere of the authority. Pemra only deals with electronic media like TV channels, cable operators and FM radios and related issues, the court was informed. The bench directed the Attorney General to look into the matter and inform the court whether the website can be blocked or not and which department can do it. It accepted the request made by the Attorney General for time, to discuss the matter and directed him to assist the court personally.