Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed all concerned operators in Pakistan to block website www.YouTube.com till further orders. These directions have been issued in compliance with Pakistan Penal Code and the urge of masses against blasphemous drawings of Prophet Mohammad [PBUH].
Authority said that it has banned about 450 URLs besides YouTube and Facebook, which had inappropriate content.
People of the country think that this large scale protest should be escalated at diplomatic level to best produce the results.
PTA has established a Crisis Cell to monitor all such contents. PTA’s helpline toll free number 0800-55055 and email complaint@pta.gov.pk can be used to notify all similar URLs where such objectionable material is placed.
Here is an email Micronet sent to its customers:
Dear Valued Customer,
Micronet has blocked access to www.youtube.com in compliance with recent orders of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for containing blasphemous material and no-action by Youtube to remove the objectionable hate material from its web site.
This access would remain blocked till further orders by PTA.
Best Regards
Following Is PTA’s Press Release:
YOUTUBE SHUT DOWN IN PAKISTAN
Islamabad: PTA has directed all concerned operators to shut down website www.youtube.com in view of growing sacrilegious contents on it. It may be mentioned that PTA after all possible avenues were used within its jurisdiction, including using regular channels available on the FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE to launch protest, to avoid appearances of derogatory material available on their websites – which increased in numbers as time passed by, that PTA decided to completely shut down these sites from being viewed within Pakistan.
PTA has so far blocked more than 450 links on internet containing derogatory material.
It was not only in line with the Constitution of Pakistan, the wishes of the people of Pakistan but also an extension of the court orders passed by the honorable High Court of Pakistan and directions of the Government of Pakistan. PTA has already announced a phone number and a complaint number to receive complaints on the issue.
The attitude of administrators at FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE was in contravention to the WSIS Resolutions and their own policies advertised on the web for general public. PTA would welcome the concerned authorities of FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE to contact the PTA for resolving the issue at the earliest which ensures religious harmony and respect.
