Pakistan blocks Wikipedia: Report

02/04/2023

Islamabad, Feb. 4: Pakistan has banned Wikipedia over the website's refusal to remove what the establishment termed as ‘blasphemous content’, Pakistan website The News reported. The restoration of the services will be subjected to consideration if the website removes the content.

The blacklisting of Wikipedia comes days after the Pakistan Telecom Authority degraded Wikipedia service for 48 hours, threatening to block it if the content deemed ‘blasphemous’ was not deleted.

“Wikipedia was approached for blocking/removal of the said contents by issuing a notice under applicable law & court order(s). An opportunity of hearing was also provided, however, the platform neither complied by removing the blasphemous content nor appeared before the Authority”, the Pakistan Telecom Authority tweeted.

“Given the intentional failure on part of the platform to comply with the directions of PTA, the services of Wikipedia have been degraded for 48 hours with the direction to block/remove the reported contents”, it added.

This is not the first time when the Pakistan government has cracked down on social media platforms and websites, an act slammed by freedom of speech advocates in the country.

"The ban is disproportionate, unconstitutional, and quite ridiculous," said Usama Khilji, a digital rights activist, had told AFP, adding that the move will impact students, academicians, researchers and other sections of the society.

In a latest development, the Wikimedia Foundation has urged Pakistan to restore the website.

"A block of @Wikipedia in Pakistan denies the 5th most populous nation in the world access to the largest free knowledge repository. If it continues, it will also deprive everyone access to Pakistan's history and culture," tweeted The Foundation.

In 2012, the Pakistan government had blocked more than 700 YouTube links to an anti-Islam film which triggered massive protests across several countries. The top court had directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to block the links to the movie, Chinese media agency Xinhua had reported.

The then chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry had directed the telecom regulator to take down all the ‘sacrilege material’ which disrespected Islam or the Prophet in any way.-Agencies

Related News

Joe Biden praises Olympians for inspiring Americans with courage

Wilmington, Aug. 8: US President Joe Biden praised US Olympians for navigating the difficulties of a coronavirus-tarnished games with “moral courage” that made Americans’ “hearts swell” with pride. Biden, along with first lady Jill Biden, spoke with Team USA in a Zoom call Saturday evening from their home near Wilmington,…

Another northern Afghan province falls to Taliban: Officials

Kabul, Aug. 9: Provincial Afghan lawmakers say the Taliban have taken control of another provincial capital, the fourth to fall into insurgent hands in less than a week, in a punishing blow to government forces. The Taliban forces overran Taleqan, the capital of the northern Takhar province on Sunday, capturing…

Maritime routes are being misused for piracy and terrorism, says Indian PM

New Delhi, Aug. 9: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a UN Security Council open debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security — A Case for International Cooperation” on Monday evening via video conferencing. The focus of the debate was to focus on ways to effectively counter maritime crime and insecurity,…

Indian PM for joint efforts to fight maritime threats

New Delhi, Aug. 10 : In an oblique reference to China, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for maritime disputes to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. Speaking at one of the best-attended UN Security Council debates (UNSC) where other members, barring China, fielded Presidents,…

Taliban tighten control of Afghan north as UN fears erasure of human rights

Kabul, Aug. 10: Taliban fighters tightened their grip on captured territory in Afghanistan on Tuesday as civilians hid in their homes and a pro-government commander vowed to fight to the death to defend Mazar-i-Sharif, the biggest city in the north. President Ashraf Ghani called on regional strongmen to support his…

As Taliban gain ground, Afghanistan army chief ‘replaced’

Kabul, Aug. 12: As the Taliban seized three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan and a local army headquarters, a Defence Ministry official and local media reports said President Ashraf Ghani had replaced the country’s army chief. Sources said Gen Hibatullah Alizai had replaced Gen Wali Ahmadzai as the Afghan army…

Video

Find Us on Facebook

From Social

Kathmandu, Nov. 24: The joint training exercise "SURYA KIRAN-XVII" of Nepali Army and Indian Army is starting from 24 November 2023 in Pithoragarh, India. The Nepalese army team that will participate in the exercise, which will be attended by the…

Nepal-India Joint Military Training Excerise Surya Kiran Begin Today    

New Delhi, May 5: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the guest of honour for this year’s Bastille Day Parade in Paris scheduled to take place on July 14.  In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of…

Indian PM Modi to attend Bastille Day Parade in Paris as guest of honour on July 14