In era of Globalization, Pakistan is considering ban on Social Media. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered the immediate removal and blocking of all online content deemed to be “blasphemous” to Islam from social media - and for those responsible to be prosecuted. Unlike what is reported in the International media the vast majority of blasphemy cases are not against non-Muslims, but rather Muslims. When investigated all these incidents happened to have a land dispute or family feud behind the blasphemy accusations. In most cases not a single shred of evidence has been produced before the courts. However most judges are so afraid of the consequences in case they refuse a guilty verdict that they agree with the accusers. In cases where judges took a stand, they have been gunned down in court. This has also happened to lawyers fighting the case on behalf of the accused. One man of honor, Justice Shaukat Saddique reacts over blasphemous content on social media and has ordained Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan to appear before the court in his personal capacity.
I submit and sacrifice myself and everything that I have –my parents, job, my entire life – to Allah’s messenger (Peace Be Upon Him),” he said adding. “If they cannot block the sacrilegious pages the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should cease to exist. - Justice Shaukat Saddique
We don’t believe that the blasphemy laws in Pakistan are harsher than in other Muslim countries but it does seem that they’re enforced more vigorously. Salman Shahid filed the case, alleging that five bloggers, Salman Haider, Ahmed Waqas Goraya, Asim Saeed, Ahmed Raza Naseer and Samar Abbas, were spreading blasphemous content through pages on social networks. Although Pakistan has never executed anybody for blasphemy, over 50 people charged with blasphemy have been murdered (often by mobs) before completing their court trials. While dictating the ruling, Justice Saddiqui got emotional while talking about Prophet Muhammad.
Why is the blasphemous there on social media? Has the government taken any steps in this regard thus far far? -Justice Shaukat Saddiqui questioned PTA.
Debate of Liberals
Facebook has more than 64 million users in China despite a ban.
Bring it on the social media ban in Pakistan, bitches.— Anas Tipu (@teepusahab) March 11, 2017
We will go to any extent [including] permanently blocking all such social media websites if they refuse to cooperate. - Nisar
Virtual Private Networks
Some think we will find another thing for wasting time or being fake / unrealistic. People always find substitute ways to use Facebook or find some other social media platform. Nothing is permanent as people use orkut and other in past and Facebook took over (remember WorldChains?). Maybe in future something more better comes out… However, if it gets banned or ends, then nothing will happen to us because before Facebook there still was life. People will see a transition in themselves. We’ll have the generation of book reader’s revived and real life intellectual circles prevailing but for that smartphones will have to be extinct too in that wholesome equation of social media.
Related: Report Blasphemy
Much like with the Youtube, the goverment has built filtering systems to stop the social media usage but the people are still accessing the Youtube using the proxy servers. There are slight difference between the country’s usage pattern but the uses and gratifications are the same for all the countries. The main user gratification factors for using Facebook are social interaction, having a substitute for real life companionship, gaining a sense of belonging, finding out relevent events and information and entertaiinment. Also some gratifaction like to rise voice against government have changed in Pakistan due to the ban. In the end if the social media are banned it will give a boost to local Pakistani online alternatives. What are your thoughts?