WASHINGTON: The United States has strongly supported Pakistan’s move to ban certain internet sites, saying the Pakistani government had the right to protect its public from offensive images and speech.

At a briefing at the State Department, Assistant Secretary of State Philip J. Crowley also noted that images on a Facebook page were deeply offensive to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

The United States, he said, was against any “deliberate attempt to offend Muslims” and respected their right to practise their faith as they willed.

Defending the Pakistani action against offensive sites, Mr Crowley also advised Islamabad to find a balance between freedoms of religion and expression.

The State Department’s reaction follows Pakistan’s decision to block the video-sharing site YouTube, Facebook and other pages that hurt Muslim sentiments.

Commenting on Pakistan’s efforts to block the sites containing material offensive to the Muslim faith, Mr Crowley noted that this was a difficult issue for the Pakistani government.

“Pakistan is wrestling to this issue. We respect any actions that need to be taken under Pakistani law to protect their citizens from offensive speech,” said the US State Department official while rejecting a suggestion from a journalist to condemn Islamabad’s actions.

“At the same time, Pakistan has to make sure that in taking any particular action, that you’re not restricting speech to the millions and millions of people who are connected to the internet and have a universal right to the free flow of information,” he added.

Meanwhile, Scott Rubin, a spokesman for YouTube, said the site was working with Pakistani telecommunication officials to resolve the issue and that “we hope we restore service soon”. He added: “This is up to Pakistan telecom authority.”

“Obviously, this is a difficult and challenging issue,” said the State Department official while commenting on the developments.

“Many of the images that appear on Facebook were deeply offensive to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We are deeply concerned about any deliberate attempt to offend Muslims or members of any other religious groups,” said Mr Crowley.

“We do not condone offensive speech that can incite violence or hatred.”

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/...ock-images-250

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Above statement is a slap on the faces of those who highly criticized the decision of LHC and PTA. Again Pakistan proved itself "Castle of Islam". None of the Islamic country adopter stern measures against blasphemous contents like Pakistan did. I would like to pay tribute to Justice Khawaja Sharif through the following quotation about that case.


Four things belong to a judge:

to hear courteously,
to answer wisely,
to consider soberly,
and to decide impartially.

source:http://www.columnpk.com/gustakhana-k...a-sey-protest/

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Reality is something you rise above.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has blocked 800 web pages and URLs to limit access to “blasphemous” material, extending a crackdown that has already banned access to Facebook and YouTube, an official said .




http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn

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Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark.

all these acts r temporery relief we need to cure this problem permamnently through legislating LONG ARM Statute if this kind of statute is passed by our parliament our courts will hv jurisdiction on such ppl who hurt our religious sentiments we can punish them n if the r penalized then no other will dare to do this act.
if its crime to say bad abt jews or putting question mark on fac n figures narrated by jews abt holocast thn y not saying bad abt islam n making fun of our beloved PROPHET (P.B.U.H) is crime???? y????

@sana_krn

Dear,though these acts may be temporary but they are appropriate and on time... we r atleast satisfied that our Govt has done a good job... and the result of this hard stance is that the facebook and the offender has apologized and deleted the pics ... as compare to other Muslim countries Pakistan is doing well...And the long term SOLUTION is the AWAKENING OF WHOLE UMMAH... the OIC SHOULD and Have to make its role effective in WORLD POLTICS... so this would enable the Muslims to raise their voice and form the laws and regulations...

But individually Pakistani govt did a good job....

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Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark.

i didnt said our gvt. didnt act accordinlgy yea v did best....but am talking there is need of some legislation in this regard as well. may b u didnt take my point...

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Don't miss the magic of the moment by focusing on whats to come.

Yes, I got ure point thats why I said...

Regards,

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Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark.

Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said the issue of caricatures had already been raised at the Council for Human Rights, the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the United Nations General Assembly. “Now Facebook is being used to do the same thing and it is not acceptable at any level. We are looking forward to bring like-minded countries together on this issue and form a strategy to seek apology from the responsible people,” he said.

A Muslim solution: However, it’s about time that Muslim computer experts came forward and designed a website similar to Facebook so that millions of Muslim users switch to it, he added.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-5-2010_pg13_7
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ISLAMABAD: When hundreds of Pakistanis are protesting against social networking websites Facebook and Youtube for carrying the caricatures of Prophet Mohammed Peace Be Upon Him, there are many in this conservative Muslim country who oppose the decision of banning these sites and believe in tackling this situation by adopting counter measures.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/5964620.cms

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Facebook has blocked in India the controversial "Everybody draw Mohammed Day!" page that last week led to the site being banned in Pakistan.
The move follows protests by Muslims in the country over the page which invites users to put up caricatures of Prophet Mohammed.
"Out of respect for the local regulations, standards and customs, we have decided to restrict access to the 'Everyone Draw Mohammed!' page from India, after being contacted by authorities and reviewing the matter closely," a spokeswoman for Facebook said on Sunday in an email. We have not removed the Page from Facebook, but have only restricted access to it from India," she added.
Facebook may consider IP blocking in Pakistan after further review of local regulations, standards and customs, the Facebook spokeswoman said on Sunday. A move to block the page in Pakistan would be in line with Facebook's stated policy on the issue.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/19698...sial_page.html

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It is really shocking that leaders of the Muslim countries are silent over this issue. Pakistan’s sacrifices on war on terror and international influence can be utilized to redress the grievances of the Muslims. President and PM of Pakistan should also play their role in this matter.

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No matter how fast i run or how far i go it wont escape me, pain, misery, emptiness.

wat abt those psuedo liberals in pakistan who feel ashamed of our protests

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It takes courage to live with disappointments.

Dear crown prince,

Ur endeavour to start n puruse this thread is highly commendable.

As far as topic is concerned until n unless Oh I see (OIC) wake up from their deep n disgusting slumber nothing is going to happen in future.

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When you try, you risk failure. When you don’t try, you ensure it.