Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said that Pakistan would lobby to get all Muslim countries united against sacrilegious and blasphemous contents being circulated on social media.
Talking to reporters after inauguration of a facilitation center, he said that the issue of blasphemous contents on social media is not only related to Pakistan but it is also related to entire Muslim world but unluckily no one is raising voice against it.
He said that he asked Syed Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to the prime minister on foreign affairs, to contact Muslim countries to devise a joint strategy.
"A strong message will be sent to foreign companies if entire Muslim world raised united voice against this issue" he said.
Nisar hinted that Pakistan would permanently block all social media website, if facebook and other service providers refused to share information with Pakistan about people behind blasphemous content.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been told to strictly inform facebook and other service providers to immediately block these contents and share the details of those behind all this, he said.
"If there reply is negative we have also prepared alternate strategy in this regard and we will go to any extent if they refused to cooperate with us", he said.
However, he said that we had a negative experience when a distorted picture released on social media in December last year, showing President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafer Jhagra, whereas it was shared on social media by describing the name of the Chief
Justice of Pakistan instead of Jhagra.
He said that Facebook management refused to share necessary information related to the matter with FIA. "I do not understand what will be their answer this time", he said.
He said that the content uploaded within the country can be removed as it is within reach of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and other intelligence agencies, adding if something is uploaded outside the country, its removal will not be possible without the cooperation of social media websites.
He said that government has started taking action against those uploading blasphemous content within the country. "We have short listed 11 suspected people of which five have been called by FIA for investigation", he said.
Khan said that as Interior Minister, he would ensure that no innocent person would be accused in this matter therefore we are working on both tracks to ensure that those who have committed these crimes do not get away scot-free.
The minister said that since this has become an international issue, he has directed FIA to appoint good legal counsel on the matter who can understand international law. "I have directed the Foreign Office to appoint a special officer in the US to coordinate with FIA and PTA in this regard," he said.
About Dawn leaks, he said that the ministry is yet to receive the commission's report and reportedly there is a disagreement among the members which is causing the delay.
The report would be forwarded to the government as soon as the ministry receives it and the media would be briefed accordingly. He said that the report of the probe committee would be shared with the media as well.
"At the of formation of the committee, Justice (retd) Aamir Raza Khan head of the Dawn leaks probe committee placed a condition that he will sign the report when there is complete consensus when the report is unanimous and I think so far unanimous report has not been prepared", he said, adding that the consensus would
be developed soon and then justice Raza Khan will sign it.
About FIA inquiry against corruption in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), he said that four months ago he ordered the FIA to conduct an inquiry regarding corruption in PIA. He said that inquiry is in progress and the FIA team submitted its initial report.
He said that Ministry of Interior has placed the name of PIA Chef Executive Officer (CEO) Bernd Hildenbrand to prevent him from leaving the country. According to initial report on one hand the economical and financial condition of PIA is deteriorating day by day and on the other hand some people are milking it for their personal benefits.
To another question about spot fixing in Pakistan Super League (PSL), he said that FIA has submitted initial report before him and any cricketer found guilty of spot-fixing during PSL will be jailed. "If UK can jail cricketers for corruption, why can't we," he said.
He said that spot-fixing is not just a matter between the cricket board and a few players as it bring bad name to Pakistan. "Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) can only suspend or ban players, it doesn't have the authority to register FIR against them," he added, adding that FIA can register FIR against the players who were found involved in it.
He said that MQM founder Altaf Hussain is involved in several heinous crimes including money laundering and incitement of hatred leading to loss of life and property.
"A person who doesn't even believe in the ideology of Pakistan has no right to do politics here," he said. He also announced that UK Home Secretary will visit Islamabad next week.
Spokesman Interior Ministry said on Thursday that the Facebook administration has agreed to send a delegation to address reservations of the government with respect to blasphemous content on the social media.
In a statement, he said that the Facebook administration has nominated a focal person for maintaining constant contact with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
The spokesman said that the government has received a written reply from the Facebook administration stating that they are fully aware of Pakistan's concerns over blasphemous content and they are ready to solve the matter with consultation and dialogue.