Law to prevent misuse of Internet cafes soon | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Law to prevent misuse of Internet cafes soon

ISLAMABAD: The government on March 31, assured the National Assembly of implementing laws on those Internet cafes spreading obscenity in the country.

Responding to a call-attention notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Division Asjad Ali Malhi informed the assembly that a new law would be enacted soon to deal with those involved in Internet obscenity and cyber crimes.

The notice was moved by Bushra Rehman, Anwar Ali Cheema of the PML-QA, Farid Paracha and Hanif Abbasi of the MMA and Rana Asif Tauseef of PML-N who were concerned on “immoral activities” in the internet cafes. The parliamentary secretary assured that Islamic principles would be followed, adding, Internet service providers and cafes would not be allowed to indulge in obscenity. He said all the Internet Service Providers would be asked to ensure that there should be no misuse of Internet cafes.

He said the government would not allow any Internet cafe to make objectionable video in the cabins of Internet cafes throughout the country. “I assure the House if any particular case would be brought in the notice of the government, strict action would be taken against the responsible persons,” he added. He said the PTA would ask Internet service providers to shut down the service of such cafes.

Bushra Rehman was critical that opening of Internet cafes has become a fashion. She said cabins of these cafes are being misused for “immoral” activities.

She demanded that there should be a regular law for the opening of Internet cafes.

Hanif Abbasi said cameras were installed in the cabins of Internet cafes of Rawalpindi and youngsters were blackmailed after making their videos.

A voice of protest from the treasury benches was heard when woman legislator Kashmala Tariq protested against the government’s discriminative attitude towards the women legislators. Raising a point of order, she complained that the state-owned television did not telecast the news of women issue of Karo-Kari, which was raised in the House on March 30.

She recalled that she had spoken on a call-attention notice with regard to Karo-Kari, but the state-owned TV completely ignored her, while the minister was shown on the screen for five minutes.

Kashmala said President Musharraf has empowered women by giving them representation in the House but here their right to speak was denied.

She, however, regretted that discriminatory attitude was being meted out with women members not only in the House but also in the parliamentary party meetings and on state-run TV. Member from treasury benches Riaz Hussain Pirzada, on a point of order, said he had seen the news and the issue was given coverage on the TV as well as the “beautiful” face of Kashmala Tariq was also shown.

On the remarks from her colleague from the treasury benches, Kashmala Tariq said her feelings have been hurt by the adverse remarks about her beauty. She said her beauty was God-gifted and they should not be disturbed if God had not given them beauty. She warned to move a privilege motion against Riaz Pirzada.

Adviser to the Prime Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar stressed to keep intact sanctity of the House by giving respect by male members to 72 lady members sitting in the House. Federal Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao assured a probe to pacify the aggrieved lady MNA.

The speaker apologized with the women member of the National Assembly. PPPÂ’s Aitzaz Ahsan demanded of the Speaker to act as a custodian of the House instead of speaking more than members and switching off their mikes.
Source: The News
Date:4/1/2004