LAHORE, July 17, 2009: (PCP) The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemns the government's move to use state power to prosecute and punish certain kind of messaging through cellular phone networks and content on the websites and calls upon the government to withdraw such measures and desist from introducing any law to this effect. The HRCP statement said: In recent days, federal government representatives have expressed the government's intention to introduce a law to prosecute and punish people who indulge in certain kind of messaging (SMS) through cellular phone networks. The government has announced that messages containing any content against the state or immoral material would be punishable under the law. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan views proposed measures with concern and as an intrusion into the personal liberties of citizens. The government seems to be embarrassed by criticism of certain government officials and policies and actions in the messaging of the people on cell phones and blogs on websites and intends to muzzle the people's voice by curtailing their freedom of expression. The Commission is of the view that this is not the way to persuade people to respect a government which does not earn this status by its deeds. The Commission also believes that the recent modification in the government's stance that the law would be directed against those who speak against the state and not against those who only attack the government is meaningless because in Pakistan the government has often been treated as the state. The Commission demands of the government to stay away from enforcing any legislation to this effect which will not only be violation of people's human rights but hamper the nascent democratic process in the country. The HRCP is of view that the new means of electronic communication pose a challenge to all governments and societies and a way will have to be found to deal with the explosion of communication without encroaching upon personal freedoms.