Social media rules: Govt regulation not illegal, says court

During a case hearing on the social media rules, the Islamabad High Court chief justice has remarked that the regulation is not illegal as the government enjoys the privilege to frame rules, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah uttered these remarks on Monday after hearing arguments presented by Advocate Iman Mazari on the social media rules. The CJ observed that the government had the prerogative to formulate rules saying that regulation was not against law.

The CJ was hearing a joint petition after clubbing together all petitions challenging the government rules to regularize the social media.

When Ms Mazari started giving her arguments, the CJ asked her whether she had studied the social media rules. He said that the regulation was not illegal. If somebody hurts other people’s religious sentiments, it’s a crime, the CJ said adding that the government had made a rule that all controversial and illegal material should be removed from the social media.

Then he advised the advocate to go through the social media rules and come back with preparation.

The chief justice then adjourned the hearing till April 4.

Reporter Ehtisham Kiyani