FIA arrests person for expressing blasphemous thoughts to Ansar Abbasi

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Re: FIA arrests person for expressing blasphemous thoughts to Ansar Abbasi

^ so you would be okay with similar treatment of Muslims for thought-crimes abroad eh?

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Seems more to me that you are not ok with the blasphemy law. It doesnt matter if ones ok with something or not, a law is a law, and until the blasphemy law is there, it should be respected. If we dont agree with it, we can have it repealed by garnishing enough support. Until that time, the law needs to be respected. Everyone knows the law doesnt allow ppl to insult the Prophet pbuh in Pakistan, failing to do so is breaking the law.

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Re: FIA arrests person for expressing blasphemous thoughts to Ansar Abbasi

A Muslim cannot be blasphemous to any Prophet. Otherwise if he commits other crime, he should be tried as well.

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Consider this part of 'garnishing enough support'.

Not only do I have an issue with the blasphemy law, in this case I also have an issue with how it was applied, and the individuals involved in getting the authorities to apply it.

There is a difference between wrong and illegal. I have nowhere argued that what Abbasi/the news did was illegal. It was morally questionable.

As for laws needing to be respected merely because it is law, not really. For example, if a dictator, as in recent memory, imposed laws restricting media, was the action of various journalists in resisting and condemning such laws wrong?

That is not the question i asked.

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Can you tell me which journalists 'broke' any PEMRA laws? Protesting does not imply they were 'breaking' laws. They were beaten up and held back but none of them were charged with anything. This dude wasnt protesting against the blasphemy law, he was BREAKING/VIOLATING it and is arrested, and hopefully charged (after a fair trial) for his crime.

Wht r u doing ?
Wht r u doing ?
26

On the contrary, AAJ tv was charged with breaking the ordinance.

you’re missing the point. Im not saying he was protesting the blasphemy law, I am, especially with regards to private communications, and especially with regards to communication with journalists who themselves should be opposed to restrictions on thought and speech.

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Journalists are supposed to bring everything out in the open, to the public. Also, being a journalist does not automatically make you opposed to restrictions on free speech, even in Pakistan when the PEMRA ord. was initiated, there were plenty of journalists, most notably that nazir naji who was full of praise, but I guess that’s his view point and as a journalist he defended it.

Its simple, this guy might have insulted the prophet pbuh, and deserves a trial, no ifs or buts or ‘aye ki ho gya’ or what ifs.

yOuR aTtEnDeNcE PlZ!!!
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So you agree that the PEMRA ordinance, though it was a law, wasnt one that should elicit respect and adherence? Now that you have been shown an instance where Pakistani journalists were charged by law enforcement as in violation of laws.

[quote]

Also, being a journalist does not automatically make you opposed to restrictions on free speech, even in Pakistan when the PEMRA ord. was initiated, there were plenty of journalists, most notably that nazir naji who was full of praise, but I guess that's his view point and as a journalist he defended it.

[/quote]

heh, so nazir naji is an example of appropriate journalistic behaviour when it suits your purposes. yes being a journalist doesnt automatically make you opposed to restrictions on speech, but if you're a credible journalist, it should make you opposed to it, purely because you depend on it for your own livelihood.

[quote]

Its simple, this guy might have insulted the prophet pbuh, and deserves a trial, no ifs or buts or 'aye ki ho gya' or what ifs.
[/QUOTE]

the legality of the arrest is not being disputed, so whether or not he gets a trial is besides the point.

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Are you kidding? They guy would be lynched in public if the document contains what is alleged. At the very least, he would get a ridiculus sentence because of mob pressure. We also know how pakistani qoum deals with blasphamy. A few shops and rails would be burned to punish their fellow citizens for the crimes of someone else.

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Which journalists were charged? Can you do better than a wiki article because as far as I remember, NO journalist was ever charged for breaking any laws.

[quote]

heh, so nazir naji is an example of appropriate journalistic behaviour when it suits your purposes. yes being a journalist doesnt automatically make you opposed to restrictions on speech, but if you're a credible journalist, it should make you opposed to it, purely because you depend on it for your own livelihood.
[/quote]
I think you have a serious problem comprehending posts. Where did I saw Nazir Naji's journalistic behavior is appropriate? I was saying how your conclusions are just silly if you assume every journalist is expected to believe in freedom of speech. Nazir Naji is obviously one who doesnt and voiced his support for the curbs on media, so how does that make him appropriate in my eyes? Now did it ever occur to you maybe there is one set of journalists like Ansar Abbasi who feels strongly about his religious being blasphamized, and then there is Nadeem Paracha who does not believe in religion in the first place. Both of them will react differently to such blasphemous emails. One of them might get agitated, and report it, the other might even pat the sender on his back for its subject matter.

Thats the beauty of journalism, you'll find some that are saying the exact opposite of what you want them to say, live with that, and stop assuming your side is what everyone adheres to.

[quote]

the legality of the arrest is not being disputed, so whether or not he gets a trial is besides the point.
[/quote]
So if its all legal, lets stop whining then and let criminals face the system. If he did disrespect the Prophet pbuh, I hope he gets his punishment swiftly.

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So the best thing is to let the "politicians" tell us the version? Wouldn't you want to know what was actually written in the email for the sake of transparency and fairness?

If he's being tried, it becomes the authorities' responsibility to ensure his safety because he's to stand a trial.

32

Journalists werent charged, instead the station was closed for a certain period, and the government issued notice charging the station with airing news and analysis in contravention of PEMRA laws. The wiki article has a link, look it up.

[quote]

I think you have a serious problem comprehending posts. Where did I saw Nazir Naji's journalistic behavior is appropriate? I was saying how your conclusions are just silly if you assume every journalist is expected to believe in freedom of speech. Nazir Naji is obviously one who doesnt and voiced his support for the curbs on media, so how does that make him appropriate in my eyes?

[/quote]

If it is NOT an example of appropriate journalistic behaviour in your eyes, what is the point of giving him as an example? Yes I have a serious problem comprehending you, atleast when you're dealing in non-sequitors.

Me: Journalist X acted inappropriately cause journalists should be for freedom of speech.
You: No they dont have to be for freedom of speech, look at Nazir Naji, he wasnt!
Me: Oh thats your counter-example. Does it mean it was appropriate when Nazir Naji did it?
You: Whats your problem! You dont comprehend me! I dont think it was appropriate.

There is no point to your citing Nazir Naji if you think he wasnt acting appropriately.

[quote]

Now did it ever occur to you maybe there is one set of journalists like Ansar Abbasi who feels strongly about his religious being blasphamized, and then there is Nadeem Paracha who does not believe in religion in the first place. Both of them will react differently to such blasphemous emails.

[/quote]

Sure. They will have different reactions.

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One of them might get agitated, and report it, the other might even pat the sender on his back for its subject matter.

[/quote]

Patting the sender on the back is cool. Reacting in a way as to trigger government mechanisms against free speech is NOT. There are other ways of showing displeasure and hurt feelings.

[quote]

Thats the beauty of journalism, you'll find some that are saying the exact opposite of what you want them to say, live with that,

[/quote]

Right, so long as one side doesnt think its okay to get the government to boff off people you disagree with.

[quote]

So if its all legal, lets stop whining then and let criminals face the system. If he did disrespect the Prophet pbuh, I hope he gets his punishment swiftly.
[/QUOTE]

Just as you stopped whining when PEMRA laws were being enforced, and channels like AAJ were being taken off air?

Timepass - October 2013
33

to be fair there is a risk of lynching, twenty people (out of 685) since 1985 have been murdered soon after they were charged.

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Re: FIA arrests person for expressing blasphemous thoughts to Ansar Abbasi

Ravage, just give it up, this argument is just a non0issue, Ansar Abbasi did the right thing, and those that stress over such non issues and overlook other things would go bald for no good reason.

You can go pat that guy (behind bars I presume) who disrespected the Prophet pbuh on his back for his macho show of freedom. Please urge him to to something more public next time rather than sending emails to a newspaper editor to show us how he can enjoy more freedom of speech. Then we'll see what a big man he is. My friend, If you think free speech means violating laws and disrespecting religion, than I guess you should accept the fact that not everyone adheres to your definition and move on. Those cartoons disrespecting the prophet in denmark etc were done in the guise of freedom of speech too. Many western nations who practice freedom of speech still chose not to publish them because freedom of speech does not curtail respect.

NAzir Naji is an example of a journalist who thinks curbs on media are fine and dandy, again how you associate him with my personal likeness is something which is beyond me. As far as hes concerned, personally all the 'closet MQM and musharraf' supporters love him, enough said...

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It may be a non-issue to you, it is not to me.

[quote]

You can go pat that guy (behind bars I presume) who disrespected the Prophet pbuh on his back for his macho show of freedom. Please urge him to to something more public next time rather than sending emails to a newspaper editor to show us how he can enjoy more freedom of speech. Then we'll see what a big man he is.

[/quote]

See it didnt even get that far. All he did was send an email, the privacy of which I presume he thought would be respected, leave aside journalists respecting freedom of speech.

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My friend, If you think free speech means violating laws and disrespecting religion, than I guess you should accept the fact that not everyone adheres to your definition and move on.

[/quote]

Your definition is definitely much more selective in granting freedom, presumably to views you dont find repugnant.

[quote]

Those cartoons disrespecting the prophet in denmark etc were done in the guise of freedom of speech too. Many western nations who practice freedom of speech still chose not to publish them because freedom of speech does not curtail respect.

[/quote]

Fair comparison. A few key differences. The cartoons were broadcasted, not private emails. The cartoons were denied publicity, no action was taken against the cartoonists, nor cases registered against them (nor can there be).

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NAzir Naji is an example of a journalist who thinks curbs on media are fine and dandy, again how you associate him with my personal likeness is something which is beyond me.

[/quote]

Simple. Either the example had no point, or you thought he behaved appropriately.

[quote]

As far as hes concerned, personally all the 'closet MQM and musharraf' supporters love him, enough said...
[/QUOTE]

Which may be true, but this thread is not the place for such observations.

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Re: FIA arrests person for expressing blasphemous thoughts to Ansar Abbasi

If I recieve offensive e-mails from someone constantly, of course I'm gonna report that to Police or authorities.

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Re: FIA arrests person for expressing blasphemous thoughts to Ansar Abbasi

^ if you do not block the sender when you have the capacity to do so, you really are choosing to receive them.

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Re: FIA arrests person for expressing blasphemous thoughts to Ansar Abbasi

^But I have the right to report that person, right?

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Re: FIA arrests person for expressing blasphemous thoughts to Ansar Abbasi

^Ravage do you have a problem with the blasphemy laws in pakistan or the manner in which they are implemented? (inconsistently).

40

if reporting gets the person's account invalidated or gets him to stop sending you repeated emails something, for harrasment sure. If it gets him killed, I hope you wouldnt, although you legally have the right ofcourse (in Pakistan).

edit: btw there is no evidence that the person sent more than two mails to ansar abbasi. hardly 'harrassment' for a media person who list their email addresses for comments/feedback.

both. and in this case add privacy rights.