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Govt not behind complaint to Twitter regarding lawyer Reema Omer's tweet: info minister
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has denied the government's involvement in reporting lawyer Reema Omer's tweets — that debated the status of military courts in the Constitution — to the micro-blogging site.
On Monday, Omer said that Twitter had received "official correspondence" that her tweets were in violation of the Pakistani law.
"Interesting times where 'officials' see references to the law — i.e., the Constitution + judgements of high courts — as a violation of the law," she had said.
Responding to her tweet, Chaudhry clarified that the government did not have any correspondence with Twitter over Omer's tweets.
"This is absolutely an academic debate; why would govt question that debate?" he asked.
"Thank you, Sir. Appreciate your clarification," Omer replied.
She, however, said "it leads to more questions: Is Twitter making up these emails? Is some impostor pretending to be a government official making these complaints? Or are these complaints being made 'officially', but without the government’s knowledge?"
In recent months, users, both local and international, have reported that they have received notices from Twitter labelling their tweets in violation with Pakistani law.
Earlier this month, DawnNewsTV anchor and senior journalist Mubashir Zaidi said that he had received an email from Twitter saying that his tweet regarding the murders of politician Ali Raza Abidi and SP Tahir Dawar was "in violation of Pakistani law according to a complaint it received" from Pakistan".
Comments (31) Closed
Her being informed of illegality,in all likelihood is more than simple expression of displeasure and in fact be a threat!
then who is sending emails to twitter? this should be investigated but not by 'JIT' rather by an independent, impartial & free parliamentary committee.
Who is she?
What she is up to
None dares, even, to comment.
@Feisal Rahimtoola, but who cares?
@Karachitee, who cares?
Every Pakistani has a legal right to information and the information minister is responsible to provide and safeguard that right.
A bold step to have a courage to questioning!
Yet one cannot deny that introducing military courts has most definitely contributed towards peace and the war against terrorism.In an ideal society there is no need for mil courts but ours is a society with a judicial system so weak that it cannot provide justice in the most simplest of cases where the rich and the influential elite are involved.Now that is tolerable (still not acceptable) in cases of civil and criminal nature but where anti-state activities and terrorism is concerned it becomes imperative to find a solution.No one is holding the politicians or judiciary to introduce judicial reforms.Do that and improve the justice system and there will be no need for these courts.
Amazing, his statement makes the issue more controversial than it was.
@Karachitee, She's a very well known lawyer and activist. Read up. She writes frequently for DAWN as well.
Amazing, what some people do to get cheap publicity through different means! This unknown women is no exception.
@Karachitee, somebody who wants to be noticed.
Then who did it?
Some lawyers clearly working on political agendas.
@Karachitee, She just want a cheap publicity like Modi.
@Zafar Ahmed and @Karachitee Reema is expressing opinion on policies. She is a Pakistani Citizen and constitution grants her freedom of speech. In case you didn’t know that
@M. Saeed, and the 'Right' is?
If government is not behind the complaint, then NS is right. Aliens are responsible.
It is the truth. This government does not take independent decisions.
Nawaz cronies!
This is what happens when puppets are running the show and someone else is incharge of the strings!
Wheels within the wheels. Fawad Chaudhary thinks he's the government, and not the ones who installed them.
Agreed it wasn't you. It was the real government.
@Karachitee, Rema Omar and her husband's family are running one of Pakistan's second largest microfinance bank lending in Billions. They are in the business of getting money from western banks and lending to poor people on extremely high-interest rates. They have a network of thugs for unpaid loan recovery where they bully, harass and intimidate and even abduct defaulters or take away their belongings including land and houses. Too much for human rights in the 21st century!
@PL, then why the government does not shut that bank. And it suddenly pop up in your brain? Why not before?
Understanding the technology and the subject matter is very important to comment on these difficult issues. So, please use your judgment wisely. Thanks
@spectator,: May be united nations or international court of justice.
Another publicity hungry lawyer.....
@Prateik, Not me