Karachi: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to ensure that all websites which either contain pornographic material, images or caricatures hurting the religious feelings of any member of society are blocked and such material is removed from the Internet.

The order came on a petition filed by Shoa-un-Nabi, seeking the issuance of directions to the government for the removal/blockade of all Internet websites containing blasphemous material hurting the religious feelings of the Muslims in the country. The PTA’s counsel informed the court that certain websites had been blocked in the country, and a complaint cell had been set up by the PTA where any person could lodge a complaint about the presence of blasphemous material on websites and request removal of the same.

The court observed that the government was duty bound to ensure that the religious feelings of any section of society are not hurt by anyone, either through the word of mouth or in writing or by images.

Disposing of the petition, the court directed the federation and its agencies, including the PTA, to ensure that all websites which either contain pornographic material, images or caricatures hurting the religious feelings of any member of society are removed or blocked from the Internet service in the country.

Haji Laloo’s plea: The Sindh High Court disposed of drug baron Haji Lal Mohammad alias Laloo’s petition for remission on the ground of his ailment, as the jail authorities informed that the convict had not undergone the one-third of his substantive sentence.

Haji Laloo sought his release on the grounds that he was 73 years old and had been in prison since 2003.

On his application, the jail authorities informed the court that the convict had not completed one-third of his substantive sentence and after the completion of the same he could be released on payment of a fine.

Laloo was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Control of Narcotics Substance Court in a drug smuggling case.
Source: The News
Date:2/13/2011