PTA told to take action against objectionable, unethical content on social media platforms

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to ensure the implementation of all the laws and rules relating to preventing, blocking and removing objectionable and illegal contents on social media platforms and take necessary action against those responsible for spreading such content in accordance with the law.

The direction came on a petition of Hasan Baig and others against unethical and objectionable material and content on social media websites and platforms.

The petitioners submitted that highly objectionable and indecent content had been uploaded on social media platforms that had been affecting social and cultural norms and values.

Their counsel Usman Farooq submitted that the petitioners had lodged a complaint against social media platforms/apps regarding vulgarity, abusive language/content but no action had been taken against such content.

He submitted that allowing unethical content on social media platform was tantamount to spreading vulgarity in society and it was also a violation of basic principles and injunctions of Islam.

The counsel submitted that unethical programmes on social media platforms defied the sanctity and pious atmosphere of a civilised society and were contemptuous to Islamic values. The SHC was informed that such content injured the sentiments of a majority of Muslim population and it was in fact, a violation of the fundamental rights.

The high court was requested to direct the PTA to remove the unlawful and unethical contents from social media websites and ensure that no social media platform broadcast/ telecast/ post any vulgar/ nude content/photo/video or live video programme against Islamic values.

The petitioners also requested the court to order removal of all such social media accounts/ pages/ groups that spread unethical and vulgar content just for views and ratings.

A division bench of the high court headed by Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi after a preliminary hearing of the petition issued notices to the PTA, FIA and others and called their comments on February 20.