ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister of Pakistan Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan has ordered the Cyber Crime Wing Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) to take immediate action against all those misinterpreting the meaning of freedom of speech on social media.
While addressing a press conference Nisar stated that the freedom of speech does not mean freedom of speech.
“There is a difference between having the freedom to speak, and having the freedom to speak,” the Interior Minister further elaborated. “Constitution, while providing guarantee of freedom of expression, makes it clear that there will also be no freedom of expression. This is for citizens who indulge in any such activity that negatively impacts the prestige, repute and respect of the meaning of freedom of expression.”
Further driving home his point, the interior minister made a puppy face and asked the journalists present to rate his expression.
“As the Federal Interior Minister I do not have the freedom to make this expression. Do you now understand my point?” Nisar asked.
He further said that being a democratic government Pakistan would do the needful against the anti-state elements.
“Being a democratic government, it our obligation to ensure and protect the right of every citizen for the freedom of speech, but we are equally bound by the law and constitution of the country to protect our citizenry and institutions from freedom of speech,” he said.
“It is surprising that the people of a globalised world, living in a democratic country, still do not understand the meaning of freedom of speech in the year 2017.”
‘Trump had already said what I wanted to say’ – Nawaz explains why he chose not to speak at Riyadh Summit
RIYADH: Contracting media reports that he wasn’t invited to address the US Arab Islamic summit in Riyadh last Sunday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif explained that he had opted out of speaking at the event.
Talking exclusively to The Dependent the premier claimed that US President Donald Trump’s keynote speech contained everything that he had wanted to say.
“I wouldn’t go as far as saying that Mr Trump stole my speech, although the words were absolutely identical and it’s an issue that runs in the Trump family, but let’s just say that he said everything I would’ve said on the day,” Nawaz stressed.
The PM added that just repeating what the US President had already conveyed to the audience would’ve resulted in a more embarrassing situation for Pakistan than is currently.
“It’s been years since we last replicated the US narrative word for word. Of course, repeating His Highness King Salman would’ve been easy, but that’s what we’ll be doing at home, not in front of the audience in Riyadh.”
When pressed Nawaz conceded that he wasn’t aware how and when Trump stole his speech.
“I saw Sartaj (Aziz) WhatsApping during the two-hour flight while I was rehearsing the address. But I would neither name anyone, nor am I looking for a full time foreign minister,” the PM said.