The Pakistani government has been assured by Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) that its concern over the proliferation of blasphemy on the leading social media platform will be addressed. Already, Facebook has committed to sending a delegation to Pakistan that will meet with government officials to discuss the matter. This was announced by the interior minister.
“We [Facebook] have also committed our representative to meet with you and senior officials of your government,” said Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the interior minister, quoting a letter he said was from a Facebook vice president.
Government order
Earlier in March this year, the prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, had ordered the removal or blocking of all blasphemous content posted on social media platforms. The prime minister also ordered punishment for those who posted such content. This came even as the Pakistani government sought a meeting with the Palo Alto, California-based social media giant.
With the meeting granted the interior minister added that he viewed it as progress since Facebook had previously not been cooperative. And besides the meeting being granted, the interior minister said that he had also learnt from the ambassador of Pakistan to the U.S. that Facebook had heeded to the call to block offensive content. Khan also disclosed that the Pakistan ambassador to the United States had raised the same concerns with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations and both institutions had been receptive.
Deadly consequences
Blasphemy is a serious matter in Pakistan because the government their chooses to stifle speech, and since 1990 more than 65 people have been killed by Islamist militants after being accused of blasphemy. This includes judges, defendants and lawyers, according to think tanks and information available from local Pakistani media. With a base that is largely conservative, the tough measures being taken against blasphemy by the ruling party may appeal to its members as Pakistan gears to hold elections in 2018.
Despite having a low internet penetration rate, there are approximately between 25 million and 30 million users of Facebook in Pakistan.
On Tuesday shares of Facebook Inc rose by 1.03% to close the day at $141.76.