Earlier in the day, the LHC ordered authorities to block Facebook until May 31..The depiction of any prophet is strictly prohibited in Islam as blasphemous and Muslims across the world staged angry protests over the publication of satirical cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in European newspapers in 2006.
Controversy erupted in the conservative Muslim country last month when a Facebook user set up a page called "Draw Mohammed Day", inviting people to send in their caricatures of the Muslim prophet on May 20.
The move angered thousands of young people and Muslim faithful in Pakistan, unleashing an online campaign and isolated protests that grabbed the government's attention and the controversial page was blocked on Tuesday.
But a group of lawyers went a step further Wednesday and petitioned the court to order a blanket ban on Facebook in Pakistan.
Justice Ejaz Chaudhry of the Lahore High Court directed the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to block Facebook until May 31, when the court will open a detailed hearing into the case.
The PTA Director told the court the government has already blocked the particular link. About complete ban, he said internet services could face problems if the complete website was banned.
However, the court ordered complete ban till May 31.
A large number of religious clerics, students and lawyers were present in the courtroom.
After the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) banned Facebook in Pakistan, with a permanent ban looming over, users of the social networking website have been asking the same question: Why was such a blasphemous page even launched?
Members of religious groups and students from various organisations have been protesting over the last one-week to register their anger against the shameful act.
“The founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg is a Jew and this has been done on purpose. It’s not the first time, as previously such blasphemous caricatures have been published in newspapers abroad,” a protesting student, Amna told Daily Times.
She added, “We are ordinary people, we have never intended to harm anyone, yet these people have used a social networking site to hurt the feelings of millions of Muslims, which is totally unacceptable.”
An American cartoonist, Molly Norris from Seattle, drew an irreligious caricature in April to protest against the decision of the US television channel Comedy Central to cancel an episode of the popular show South Park over its blasphemous depiction of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In her cartoon, Molly satirically proposed May 20 as the day to draw such sketches.
The page quickly turned up on Facebook but Molly, writing on her website, said she had nothing to do with it. The page has been condemned by youngsters, students, Journalists, celebrities and musicians alike. They have demanded that the responsible people should apologies for this immoral act.
Decision appreciated: The PTA decision to ban Facebook in Pakistan and its related sites has been appreciated by citizens, but they have made it loud and clear that the people responsible for this act need to apologies.
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