Petition challenging PTA ‘obscene list’ filed in LHC

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has been caught while withdrawing its regretful decision of issuing a list of “obscene and indecent” words to be filtered by cellular service providers, as a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) has challenged the PTA for restricting the freedom of speech as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan, while making a mockery of the country in the international media, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The PTA issued the list to cellular operators on November 14 and asked them to censor the words therein. The list contains about 1,100 English words and about 500 Urdu words. A massive uproar erupted against the list on the Internet and social networks.
International media groups including CNN, BBC, ABC news, criticised Pakistan for issuing the list which contains several words of everyday use.
Upon getting an unexpected reaction from around the world, the PTA announced that the list needed to be revised and was shelving the case temporarily.
Petitioner Syed Waqar Hassan, with the help of his council Barrister Rizwan, claimed that the PTA’s decision was contradictory to the constitution and the move had invited mockery from all quarters. He said that by barring citizens from using what the PTA thinks are indecent and offensive word is against the constitution of Pakistan. While investigating deeper in to the issue, Pakistan Today obtained the entire list of words to be censored. Some words are being presented here to give an idea of their nature. The words are spelled according to the list.
ASS MONKEY, ASS PIRATE, ATHLETES FOOT, BACK DOOR, BACKSEAT, BARELY LEGAL, BEAT OFF, BI SEXUAL, BI-SEXUAL, BITCH, BITE ME, BLACK OUT, CAMEL TOE, CARPET MUNCHER, CARPETMUNCHER, COCKTAIL, CONDOM, DEAPER, DO ME, DRUNK, DRUNKEN, EAT ME, FOOTACTION, FORNICATE, FOUR TWENTY, GAY, GAY PRIDE, GENITAL, GET IT ON, GO TO HELL, GOT JESUS, HEAD LIGHTS, HELL NO, HELL YES, HEN HOUSE, HERSHEYHIGHWAY, HOMO SEXUAL, HUSTLER, IDIOT, INTER RACIAL, JESUS CHIRST, KILL, KILLER, KILLING, LAID, LOOSER, MAN HATER, MARYJANE, MASTABATE, MOLEST, MOLESTER, MOLESTOR, NAKED, NO SEX, NUDE, PENTHOUSE, PERIOD, PLAY BOY, POCKET POOL, PORN, QUEER, QUICKIE, RAE CARRUTH, RAPE, RAPIST, REAR END, RED LIGHT, SCREW, SEX, SNIPER, SNOT, SODOMITE, SODOMY, SPANK THE MONKEY, SPANKTHEMONKEY, SPIT, STUPID, SUICIDE, THIRD EYE, TONGUE, UPSKIRT, URINATE, URINE, UTERUS, VIRGIN YELLOW MAN.
LHC holds in abeyance PPSC-appointed pharmacists: The LHC held in abeyance appointments of pharmacists made by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) in public hospitals on the seats vacated by pharmacists sacked by the government, who were employed on contract or ad hoc basis.
Justice Umer Ata Bandial passed the order on a contempt of court petition filed by some of the 68 pharmacists, ad hoc and contract employees in grade 16 to 22, pleading for their regularisation and challenging the new appointments in their place.
The PPSC had recruited new pharmacists in place of the dismissed pharmacists, upon the government’s request. The court held in abeyance the new appointments till judgment on the petitions pending in court is received. While the court had barred PPSC and the government from finalising the appointment process before the court’s decisions, PPSC had continued with its process. The petitioners, however, challenged these appointments through a contempt of court petition. The proceedings in their main petitions for their regularisation were adjourned till today (Thursday).
LHC seeks reply on Ausaf’s appointment: The LHC sought reply from the Punjab government on a petition challenging appointment of Ashtar Ausaf as Punjab prosecutor general. Justice Sheikh Ahmed Farooq issued the order on a petition filed by Chaudhry Sultan Ahmed making Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, prosecution secretary and others as party. Earlier, the petitioner-counsel, submitted that he applied for the post of prosecutor general, which was advertised by the Punjab government/public prosecution department. After scrutiny, the respondents interviewed 44 candidates, including the petitioner, from October 12 to 15, he added. However, the government ignored all candidates and appointed Ausaf on political grounds.
LHC seeks reply on car registration fees: LHC Justice Mansoor Ali Shah issued notices to the federal and Punjab governments on a petition challenging registration fee, professional tax and number plate fee for cars and other vehicles which is being charged unlawfully under Punjab Motor Vehicle Registration Act (MVRA).
The petition was filed by Zaheer Siddique through his counsel Azhar Siddique.