oDesk Partially Inaccessible in Pakistan

By Aamir Attaa · Friday, Feb 3, 2012 20 Comments

Advertisement
   




We know that broadband service providers in Pakistan were asked to ban adult websites, and it is since then we have seen tons of website getting on the block list. However, the problem is that some of websites hitting the block list include those which are not adult and are instead legitimate and productive websites.

oDesk.com, a global marketplace for freelancers and where Pakistani freelancers are among the top contributors, is reportedly inaccessible on selected ISPs in Pakistan.

Here are two posts on oDesk fan page on Facebook where users from Pakistan are complaining for not able to connected with oDesk.com:

It appears that issue is with PTCL only, but upon contact they confirmed me that oDesk is not on the block list. However, if there is any accessibility issue then it will be addressed.

oDesk thumb oDesk Partially Inaccessible in Pakistan

Just to add, oDesk is one example, there are other websites such as MGID (traffic exchange network), Pastebin and other major websites which have remained inaccessible in Pakistan.

PTA Should Maintain a Ban List 

We have always advocated the ban on inappropriate websites, however, the procedures for banning them need to be bettered. PTA probably needs to maintain an online list of websites it has ordered ISPs to ban/block, where it should also mention the reason for ban.

I am sure not all websites are banned under the head of pornography.

List should allow users to tip authority on banning those websites which they consider adult, or otherwise it should also allow users to report for those websites which are banned but they shouldn’t, just as in case of oDesk.


  

Advertisement

Related Stories

20 Comments

  1. funkymonk says:

    I can confirm odesk is not accessible using PTCL evo.
    I just accessed it using my ISP and then my US proxy .. it worked with US proxy

  2. Jawwad Jafri says:

    I am using PTCL DSL and am able to access Odesk

  3. Thank you so much for giving out this information with the public.

  4. Pro_Desi says:

    this was the fear of people who where against the censorship to begin with. I will not be surprised when these telco will start blocking other sites as well

  5. Sameer says:

    MGID is also banned lol

  6. basit147 says:

    videosurf.com
    a Microsoft owned video search engine also blocked by dumb retarded pta admins

    if turning safe-search on/off is the idea to block a website google should be first to be blocked ;(

    http://www.wiredpakistan.com/topic/16282-w-t-h-pta-has-also-blocked-btjunkieorg-torrent-site-reditedcted-to-youtube/

  7. Abdul Qadoos says:

    :D let me say once again
    stupid telcos :D

  8. Hasnain Aali says:

    Ya it was inaccessible last night but now working fine.

  9. zain says:

    btjunkie.org
    biggest torrent site is also on block list

  10. Usama Zafar says:

    Yeah it was blocked.. also pastebin.com is blocked…
    I’ve already reported that to u.. dont knw what’s goin on

  11. basit147 says:

    i think it must a very good job at pta headquarter watching porn all day then blocking it and taking regular breaks for prayers during all process

  12. kashif says:

    I can access it from Pakistan it’s working fine.

  13. Saad Durrani says:

    Not accessible on PTCL Broadband.

  14. assi says:

    opening on PTCL

  15. even files tube is not accessible

    • filetube says:

      Because it has the “tube” in its name? Someone over there saw “tube” and thought this should be porn related, lets block it…..done. Yahooooo!!!

  16. Arsalan says:

    i can access it now there is no problem in wateen :)

  17. umair says:

    not just this there is VIMEO.com as well which is partially Inacccesbile for Some PTCL USERS

 

Leave a Reply

Comments are moderated as per ProPakistani's Comment Policy.