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PTA takes "Jesus Christ" off the SMS list of obscene words
PTA Director Ahmed Pirzada writes to Joseph Dias about it

PTA ban SMS words

Mumbai Nov, 22: The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF), the Mumbai based activist Christian NGO had in a letter to the Pakistan President, Asif Ali Zardari; Communications Minister, Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan and the PTA Chairman taken strong exception to Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) including Jesus Christ in the list of "obscene" words in text (SMS) messages. The CSF general secretary, Joseph Dias said "it raised serious concerns about basic freedoms, like that of expression and religion in Pakistan. If such an action was taken by a non Islamic or secular nation, singularly naming a god of any other faith, there would have been a furore" in the communication emailed to the Pak authorities.
 
In a reply to Joseph Dias, a copy of which was forwarded to the Pakistan authorities concerned, Ahmed Shamim Pirzada, PTA Director said the "list forwarded to Cellular Mobile Telephony Operators (CMTOs) is tentative and under review. Your point is considered and rectified in the revised list" which has assured The CSF that words "Jesus Christ" were off the obnoxious list. Earlier in his letter to Pakistan’s authorities, Joseph Dias referred to a letter by PTA’s Director General (Services) Muhammad Talib Doger said the order was legal under a 1996 law preventing people from sending information through the telecommunications system that is “false, fabricated, indecent or obscene”. It also stated that free speech can be restricted “in the interest of the glory of Islam.” How does the words "Jesus Christ" fit the above description? asked The CSF general secretary.
 
"One wonders why gods of other religions have not been mentioned in the list and Christians, who are already facing persecution in Pakistan have been singled out for such treatment? This has hurt our religious sentiments and hence urged that "Jesus Christ" be removed from the list. The CSF expresses solidarity with the Pakistani Christians and had taken up the issue, since it is difficult for them to raise a voice on the same" said Joseph Dias. He thanked the Pakistani authorities for their prompt gesture and hoped that such acts would not be repeated in the future