Pakistan blocks YouTube, Facebook

SPEED
By SPEED

Blocking of the two websites would cut up to 25 percent of total Internet traffic in Pakistan

Photobucket

Islamabad: Pakistan has blocked the popular video sharing website YouTube in a bid to contain "blasphemous" material, officials said on Thursday.

The blockade came hours after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) directed Internet service providers to stop access to social network Facebook indefinitely on Wednesday because of an online competition to draw the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

Wahaj-us-Siraj, the CEO of Nayatel, an Internet service provider, said PTA issued an order late on Wednesday seeking an "immediate" blockade of YouTube.

"It was a serious instruction as they wanted us to do it quickly and let them know after that," he told Reuters.

YouTube was also blocked in the Muslim country in 2007 for about a year for what it called un-Islamic videos.

A PTA official, who declined to be identified, said the action was taken after the authority determined that some caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) were transferred from Facebook to YouTube.

Any representation of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is deemed un-Islamic and blasphemous by Muslims.

Siraj said the blocking of the two websites would cut up to 25 percent of total Internet traffic in Pakistan.

"It'll have an impact on the overall Internet traffic as they eat up 20 to 25 percent of the country's total 65 giga-bytes traffic," he said.

Publications of similar cartoons in Danish newspapers in 2005 sparked deadly protests in Muslim countries. Around 50 people were killed during violent protests in Muslim countries in 2006 over the cartoons, five of them in Pakistan.

Al Qaida claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on Denmark's embassy in Islamabad in 2008, killing six people, saying it was in revenge for publication of the caricatures.

source: gulfnews.com

By KHATTAK• 21 May 2010 01:31
KHATTAK

WK...keeping an opinion about everything is good...but you need to be more 'serious' to try & make some people calm down ;)

Flanostu... I've started liking your posts now. Means, you need to bring in something new...Yaa'ni, some more efforts?

By flanostu• 21 May 2010 01:27
flanostu

pakistan can't play cricket....or hockey......or squash.

By anonymous• 21 May 2010 01:26
anonymous

You know me, I have to have an opinion about everything :D

Seriously, just trying to calm some people down.

By KHATTAK• 21 May 2010 01:24
KHATTAK

WK...You could've ignored the silly threads as well.

By KHATTAK• 21 May 2010 01:23
KHATTAK

John...there are those ignorants who would get emotional & use abusive language...but you seem to be wise enough to ignore them.....NO?

By anonymous• 21 May 2010 01:22
anonymous

The Prophet (salAllaahu 'alayhi wassallam) said: “No one of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his father, his son, his own self and all the people.

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 15; Muslim, 44.)

By anonymous• 21 May 2010 01:21
anonymous

Khattak the event was too stupid to get a rational condemnation from me.

By KHATTAK• 21 May 2010 01:17
KHATTAK

riaz...all Non-Muslims are not to be blamed for the act of a few. Though, most of them on QL have yet to condemn this shameful act in the name of 'freedom of speech' ...but then, they are not representing the whole world.

By anonymous• 21 May 2010 00:50
anonymous

riaz did all Non-Muslims attack Islam???

0.000000000001 % of world's population organised a stupid event on Facebook and you labelled all Non-Muslims as a**holes!!!!! That's very wise.

By riaz_ak• 21 May 2010 00:48
riaz_ak

wk whats the problem with non muslims.. why they always try to attack on ISLAM..do you have any solid reason?

By anonymous• 21 May 2010 00:09
anonymous

So riaz are all Non-Muslims a**holes???

By riaz_ak• 21 May 2010 00:08
Rating: 3/5
riaz_ak

GEO Pakistan...Long Live Pakistanis..

Now these a**holes (non-muslims) will realise that PAKISTAN & PAKISTANIS can do any thing for their Religion & HOLY PROPHET (PBUH)..

By riaz_ak• 21 May 2010 00:05
riaz_ak

I think arab countries dont know how to block these websites..

By slaver• 20 May 2010 19:08
Rating: 4/5
slaver

GEO Pakistan

Pakistan blocks YouTube over blasphemous material

Updated at: 1200 PST, Thursday, May 20, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has blocked the popular video sharing website YouTube in a bid to contain blasphemous material, officials said on Thursday.

The blockade came hours after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) directed Internet service providers to stop access to social network Facebook indefinitely on Wednesday because of an online competition to draw the Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) in gross violation of fundamental human rights pertaining to one’s religion.

Wahaj-us-Siraj, the CEO of Nayatel, an Internet service provider, said PTA issued an order late on Wednesday seeking an "immediate" blockade of YouTube.

"It was a serious instruction as they wanted us to do it quickly and let them know after that," he said while talking to a UK-based news agency.

YouTube was also blocked in the Muslim country in 2007 for about a year for what it called un-Islamic videos.

A PTA official, who declined to be identified, said the action was taken after the authority determined that some sacrilegious caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad were transferred from Facebook to YouTube.

Representation of any prophet is deemed un-Islamic and blasphemous in Islam, let alone the caricature or cartoon of these divine personages.

Siraj said the blocking of the two websites would cut up to 25 percent of total Internet traffic in Pakistan.

"It'll have an impact on the overall Internet traffic as they eat up 20 to 25 percent of the country's total 65 giga-bytes traffic," he said.

Publications of similar cartoons in Danish newspapers in 2005 sparked deadly protests in Muslim countries. Around 50 people were killed during violent protests in Muslim countries in 2006 over the cartoons, five of them in Pakistan.

Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on Denmark's embassy in Islamabad in 2008, killing six people, saying it was in revenge for publication of the caricatures.

By slaver• 20 May 2010 19:08
slaver

for your kind information, Pakistan already block almost 120+ websites. and why you guys are worry about this, you can access so you enjoy.cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers. I really feel proud because i am paksitani, you guys thinks whatever

By chrispogi• 20 May 2010 17:31
chrispogi

they should blocked all social networking sites then..! if that is their reasons..!

By Knapp• 20 May 2010 17:24
Knapp

C'mon guys, were all aware that its very hard to block a website as long as you have an internet connections. For all we know they use VPN like uSurf and Hotspotshield (and the likes) to access any websites that is blocked.

People are being so hyprocrites. We are also aware that these people who were isolated to the real world were the ones eager with this sites... blve me, ask any arab guy who dnt go with these social sites are the ones who dnt know how to use a computer. Pity them for not seeing the outside world.

By hapy• 20 May 2010 17:22
Rating: 2/5
hapy

Publishing caricatures of Prophet pbuh is illegal in Pakistan, so there is no wonder why the site is blocked. Various countries block websites for variety of reasons. Its only a matter of time before you will see these pages blocked in Qatar also. Qtel also blocks few sites that publish anti-islam vitriol.

By Raven1968• 20 May 2010 17:08
Raven1968

sounds like a bloody boring country then if all the fun things are getting blocked and banned

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 17:03
anonymous

Khattak they also blocked Fashion TV in India long back :(

By Naseebfinder• 20 May 2010 16:39
Naseebfinder

Well done Pakistan.

By honey pot• 20 May 2010 16:04
Rating: 2/5
honey pot

bravo,,welldone Pakistan

wake up Arabs b4 its tooooo late............

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 16:03
anonymous

then what will they use now? maybe they should create their own version as they like.

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 15:56
anonymous

Well Khattak its not billions, yes there is over a billion muslims but most are not hard core and would ignore something as silly as this. The people that take huge offence to something like this is probably less than 5 million and even more likely less than a million.

Its a complete over reaction.

Muslim to God on death day 'will you let me into heaven?'

God to muslim 'you led a great pious life but you didn't support the facebook ban in 2010 and accessed it 3 times that day to check your friends messages, so no. Straight to hell for you'

Just can't see that happening...

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 15:40
KHATTAK

Thanks nomerci for explaining. I second you... :-)

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 15:39
KHATTAK

WK..... I share the same "gham" for the removal of "those" videos ;)

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 15:36
KHATTAK

Olive, I know what sarcasm is. QL has helped me a lot with it :-)

You were sarcastic in your comment...that's why I said you are overreacting. You could've just ignore the subject as nothing is wrong with the Pak Govt's decision IMHO.

All the Muslims who over reacted to the issue were wrong. They should've ignored it completely. All those who are reacting to the Pak Govt's move are also wrong. They should just ignore.

By nomerci• 20 May 2010 15:30
nomerci

IMHO, Khattak, a Hypocrite would be a person that laudes the Pakistani Government's move and calls for a ban in other countries, yet, uses both media while residing in a country where those media are not banned.

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 15:28
anonymous

The good videos were anyway removed from youtube long back :(

By nomerci• 20 May 2010 15:28
nomerci

Khattak, no, not IMHO.

By Raven1968• 20 May 2010 15:19
Raven1968

oh good point there Olive....

By Olive• 20 May 2010 15:17
Olive

Actually the prudent thing would have been to ban the extremist website the posted the initial death threats against Trey Parker and Matt Stone for their inoffensive cartoon that was the catalyst for draw Mohammed day. But whatever.

By Olive• 20 May 2010 15:14
Olive

You do understand sarcasm don't you Khattak? If not I suggest you google it.

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 15:14
KHATTAK

Nothing wrong with lifting the ban once the dust settles down. That would be wise...NO?

By lawa• 20 May 2010 15:13
lawa

why this one any i mean is there any thing on youtube also

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 15:12
KHATTAK

Olive...Pak Govt blocked two websites because of the campaign offending the sentiments of its millions of citizens. Your response was to ask for a complete ban on everything....Why? Isn't this overreacting?

By Olive• 20 May 2010 15:11
Rating: 4/5
Olive

The Pakistan governments decision to ban these sites has nothing to do with respecting the will of the people and more to do with stopping the inevitable stupid, violent & deadly protest that will happen as a bunch of religious nutters over react to the nth degree. It will be interesting to see if it works, but frankly I don't give the "ban" a month. Once this dies down, facebook & youtube will be back up.

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 15:09
KHATTAK

Okie nomerci...I am against the campaign, against the boycott of FB...but I have no problems with the Pak Govt's move either as its their right to protest their way. Does that make me a "Hypocrite"?

By Arien• 20 May 2010 15:07
Arien

hmm alrght coma. ur wish.

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 15:04
KHATTAK

Exiled...it may not be of any importance to you..but it is for billions. Dont they deserve to be respected? Is it necessary to hurt their feelings? As I said earlier, I am not in favor of boycotting FB...but I cant defend the campaigners either.

By nomerci• 20 May 2010 15:03
nomerci

Khattak, no, not IMHO.

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 15:03
anonymous

Arien

i'm sure, i can live my life with or without facebook, as long as i was not addicted i was in more peace.

By Wadi Arte• 20 May 2010 15:02
Wadi Arte

I am so SO gaddam proud of Pakistan I swear to god man!

By Wadi Arte• 20 May 2010 15:02
Wadi Arte

Might not, but at least it'll hurdle something at'em.

By Olive• 20 May 2010 15:02
Olive

Me? I haven't blocked the world's largest social networking site. Can't see how I'm overreacting.

By Arien• 20 May 2010 15:01
Arien

Coma ..noooooooo, i was pulling your leg boy.. be there :)

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 15:00
KHATTAK

Olive...its you overreacting here.

By Arien• 20 May 2010 15:00
Arien

No khatak, I was partying with them. :)

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 14:59
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

Khattak I have little opinion on draw mohd day or drawing mohd on any day of the year.

I'm sure on the list of sins it is very low down the scale.

Who cares what these people do, but the over reaction by one community just makes it more than it is.

Prophet Mohd has been drawn in Islamic culture in the past as well and its only a recent fatwa that it has become unacceptable. Society and cultures change.

Ignore these people and boycott facebook if you wish but lets not let people die because of a few pictures.

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 14:59
KHATTAK

EMN...whether it makes any difference or not... the Govt. of Pakistan just followed the wish of majority and thats what we call Democracy. Is it wrong in any way?

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 14:59
Rating: 2/5
anonymous

go go and check it on fb, i did it yesterday, for the rest i'm not accountable.

PS: Arien u can cross check it on fb, as we are in buddy list of each others.

By Olive• 20 May 2010 14:58
Olive

Yes please, all Muslim countries please please please block all forms of media, facebook, tv, movies the news, everything. That way all the non-fanatical crazy people in the world can go back to watching TV and not have to worry about stupid death threats and overreaction.

By Arien• 20 May 2010 14:58
Arien

exactly my point nomerci

KHATAK not really, I wouldnt support anythng offensive to any ones belief. But when someone support the move by the government ,which keeps everyone in the country away from the site, they should also keep themself away from it I guess.

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 14:57
KHATTAK

Arien...during tensions between Pak & India, did you stop talking to your Pakistani friends? be it QLers or real life friends from across the border?

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 14:56
anonymous

khattak, or it would be 2billion euros, if i m right this time...:)

By every_mothers_nightmare• 20 May 2010 14:54
every_mothers_nightmare

Will the blocking of youtube and facebook make and difference to peoples mindset???

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 14:54
KHATTAK

nomerci.....I am against the "Draw Muhammad (SAW) Campaign"...and I am not in favor of boycotting FB but to just ignore those idiots. Does that make me a "Hypocrite"?

By dreshan• 20 May 2010 14:52
dreshan

Can't help but notice that the moderators are sleeping.

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 14:51
KHATTAK

Arien...Pak Govt followed the wishes of majority. Why should everyone else quit FB? Isn't it everyone's personal choice? I believe, you are also not among the supporters of that "Draw Muhammad (SAW) Campagin".

By Victory_278692• 20 May 2010 14:50
Victory_278692

Khattak....well said.....this is what we called "Bilateral Mutual Consensus" :)

Pronounced at home last evening that Qatar may take similar action by today but they let me down, felt very sad.... :(

By nomerci• 20 May 2010 14:48
nomerci

Ah, then all people who are in favour of this block, will not go on Fb or youtube anymore although they do not live, at this time, in Pakistan, as both are available in the country of their residence.

It would be very hypocritical if they still used it, non?

In fact, I should go and have a look .....

By newcomer2• 20 May 2010 14:46
newcomer2

RIGHT DECISION!

PAKistan - Zinda Bad

By Arien• 20 May 2010 14:45
Arien

Guys you should respect the decision by your administration and quit FB too.. :))

By Pajju• 20 May 2010 14:42
Pajju

Dot.com u bad boy :)

By mariamkhan• 20 May 2010 14:42
mariamkhan

this should done a long time back anyways at last thy took right decision

By Khanan• 20 May 2010 14:41
Khanan

had taken. Brave One and respecting the wishes of the people of the land.

though I myself was of "ignorance is the best policy against such hypocrites"

Dot.com...your post is offensive!

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 14:41
KHATTAK

rezymalik...the figure you mentioned seem to be exaggerated. You might have received it through some forwarded mail :-).

By KHATTAK• 20 May 2010 14:38
KHATTAK

Exiled, LP & Raven..... I believe, you guys are not in favor of the "Draw Muhammad (SAW)" Campaign either... or are you? Pakistan Govt. did what they could. If they couldn't convince the websites in question to stop the campaign, atleast they did what they could. I dont see anything wrong in it. And if, YouTube or Facebook block Pakistan...nothing wrong with it either.

By Victory_278692• 20 May 2010 14:37
Victory_278692

dotty.........camel riders....anyways don't have computers ;D

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 14:35
anonymous

guys i wana tell you all something, facebook is faced loss of over 200 billion euros, due to muslims aggression to facebook all over the world...

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 14:33
anonymous

when the camel riders will do that?

By Raven1968• 20 May 2010 14:27
Rating: 3/5
Raven1968

exiledsaint you make an excellant point, YouTubeand FB should block Pakistan out and be done with it, problem solved!

By Victory_278692• 20 May 2010 14:25
Victory_278692

Good for international Peace!

Thank God

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 14:23
anonymous

Pakistan should block the whole world out and not let its citizens leave

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 14:08
anonymous

As long as they don't block QL blasphemous material is still available.

By lovingboy714• 20 May 2010 14:08
Rating: 2/5
lovingboy714

Exellent Pakistan

And shame on you all Arab Coutries. All arab Countries are sleeping

By aami alyousafzai• 20 May 2010 13:53
Rating: 4/5
aami alyousafzai

they shld hv done it long bk.

ol social network shld be blocked in pakistan.

By anonymous• 20 May 2010 13:51
anonymous

It would be better if youtube blocks pakistan...

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