Lahore High Court Gone Bonkers

I think the Lahore High Court has gone bonkers!

On May19, 2010 they issued a ruling to block Facebook and 800 additional sites; the reason being display of blasphemous content by these web sites. That time the ruling was strictly adhered to (within a few days) and the sites were blocked. Some from those 800 blocked sites were Twitter, YouTube and Flickr too. Soon after being banned, the sites started to get unbanned till the final bone of contention; Facebook; was unbanned too in about two weeks time.

Now they have again passed an equally ridiculous ruling (almost a month after the initial absurd ruling, on June 25, 2010) to block the following nine web sites:

• Google
• Yahoo
• MSN
• Hotmail
• Bing
• YouTube
• Amazon
• Islam Exposed
• In The Name Of Allah

If you look at the list closely, you will see that most of this list comprises of search engines. An internet savvy person would instantly know what a search engine is and how important it is for the Internet users. However, I am seriously doubting the knowledge of the judges of LHC of this term. I am also pretty sure (now) that none of them ever logged on the World Wide Web.

They say that these sites are promoting blasphemous content. If this is true then why not ban the whole Internet in the country. People can after all access ANY kind of content even with sites banned. And while they are at it, why not ban the TV too as it is not all holy. Let’s spread the madness and confine all Pakistanis to their homes. The world is after all a dirty place and displays/promotes blasphemous content in some nook and corner.

Let’s all go bonkers! I know I will definitely join the club if any more sites are banned in the country in the name of Islam and the love for our prophet Mohammad (PBUH).