Anti-Islam film: Police told to consider registering case
LAHORE: An additional district and sessions judge on Thursday ordered Islampura police to act in accordance with the law in an application seeking a case against the makers of an anti-Islam film, against Google and YouTube, and against the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s chairman.
Judge Abdul Sattar Langah issued this order on a petition moved by the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat Lawyers Forum. He said the police should register an FIR if a cognisable offence was made out against the respondents.
Forum President Advocate Ghulam Mustafa contended that he read about the movie in a newspaper while sitting at the Aiwan-i-Adl bar room, which fell in the jurisdiction of Islampura police. He said that the makers of the movie had committed blasphemy and should be punished.
Mustafa said that the PTA could have blocked access to the movie on social media websites but failed to take action in a timely fashion. He said that the PTA chairman should be charged with criminal negligence.
He said an application for a case against the respondents had been filed with Islampura police, but they appeared reluctant to take action. He asked the court to direct the police to register an FIR under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Interfaith group condemns film, calls for tolerance
The Peace and Harmony Network Pakistan (PHNP), an NGO working for interfaith co-existence, has called for an internationally acceptable legal and diplomatic framework to prevent actions that offend religious sentiments or incite violence.Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, PHNP representatives condemned an anti-Islam film that has provoked anger in the Muslim world.
They also condemned the burning of religious books and said that all governments must take measures to prevent the propagation of hatred.
The representatives said that the violent and destructive response to the movie in the Muslim world was unjustified. They said that there was a need to address the problem of hate speech. They said that the government must keep an eye on “anti-peace and anti-human elements who are seeking to incite violence and create disorder”.
PHNP Coordinator Javaid William said that all possible steps must be taken to combat hatred and discrimination, and to promote coexistence among different religions to create a harmonious society locally and globally. He urged people from different faiths to have compassion, respect and tolerance for one another.
To a question, he said he rejected the content and message of the film. “Those who want to live in peace must respect others. We have to create an atmosphere where everyone may have religious freedom,” he said.
Allama Zubair Abid, chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Mashaikh Council, said that every religion taught peace, brotherhood, tolerance and respect for the rights of others. “Some anti-human elements are trying to disrupt peaceful coexistence and religious harmony. We have to respect all holy books, religious places and personalities without discrimination,” he said.
Baha’i representative Dr Rohiyah Mofeedi, Sikh representative Taranjeet Singh and Hindu representative Amarnath Randhawa were also present on the occasion.
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