The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday arrested three individuals in connection with a case pertaining to the publishing of blasphemous content on social media being heard by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The three were presented before an anti-terrorism court and handed over to the FIA for a seven-day remand.

The laptops of those arrested have also been seized for forensic analysis.

Justice Shaukut Aziz Siddiqui of the IHC has been hearing a petition seeking the removal of blasphemous content from social media.

Earlier this week, the interior ministry informed the court that one arrest had been made in connection with the case, while the names of several others have been put on the Exit Control List.

The case has generated considerable attention at the government level.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier this month directed the state machinery to find those responsible for putting blasphemous content on social media and bring them to justice without delay.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said Pakistan will represent the global Muslim community on having blasphemous content removed from social media platforms and take the fight to "any extent necessary" in order to get the message across.

On March 16, the National Assembly also passed a resolution condemning blasphemous content posted on social media and unanimously agreed to the formation of a committee of parliamentary leaders to monitor such content.

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