From: Web Analysis Cell <webanalysiscell@pta.gov.pk>
Date: Monday, January 30, 2023 at 5:39 AM
To: 
Subject: NOTICE UNDER RULE 5(7)(i) OF THE REMOVAL AND BLOCKING OF UNLAWFUL ONLINE CONTENT (PROCEDURE, OVERSIGHT AND SAFEGUARDS) RULES 2021 READ WITH SECTION 37 (1) OF PREVENTION OF ELECTRONIC CRIMES ACT, 2016 – https://www.jihadwatch.orgDear Administrator,The website https://www.jihadwatch.org is hereby issued Notice as under:WHEREAS it has been reported to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (the “Authority”) that the Website i.e https://www.jihadwatch.org (“Platform”) is involved in dissemination of content against religion of Islam/Muslims, caricatures of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and circulating false rumors/reports against Muslims, which is outrageous and severely hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims. Sample Links are attached as Annex-A. It is informed that dissemination of such blasphemous content is a cognizable offence under sections 295-A, 295-C, 298 and 298-A of Pakistan Penal Code 1860 (“PPC”) and abuse of Article 260 (3) and Article 31 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 (“Constitution of Pakistan”).AND WHEREAS the Authority has been empowered under section 37 (1) of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (“PECA”) to remove or block or issue directions for removal or blocking of access to an information through any information system if it considers it necessary in the interest of glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court or commission of or incitement to an offense under PECA.AND WHEREAS as per section 1(4), PECA shall apply to any act committed outside Pakistan by any person if the act constitutes an offence under PECA and affects any person, property, information system or data located in Pakistan.AND WHEREAS in accordance with section 37(2) read with section 51 of PECA, Federal Government has approved the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards), Rules 2021 (“Rules 2021”), which provide safeguards, process and mechanism for exercise of powers by the Authority under PECA for removal of or blocking access to unlawful Online Content through any information system.AND WHEREAS Rule 3(2) of the Rules 2021 provides that the direction, issued by the Authority under the PECA and under these Rules 2021, shall prevail and take precedence over any contrary Community Guidelines and such Community Guidelines shall be deemed to be of no legal effect.NOW THEREFORE the Platform is hereby issued this notice pursuant to Rule 5(7)(i) of the Rules 2021 with the direction to remedy the contravention by geo-fencing the blasphemous content including but not limited to reported content and bar its viewership in Pakistan within (48) hrs of the issuance of this notice and explain in writing, as to why an order under rule 5(7)(ii) of the Rules 2021 may not be passed. The Platform is at liberty to clarify its position and satisfy the Authority within stipulated time either through physical appearance or virtual meeting as deemed appropriate.This issues with the approval of the Authority.For and on behalf of the AuthorityWeb Analysis Division (WAD)