Subscribers confirming Facebook and other social media websites are not accessible on desktop
Government of Pakistan has apparently ordered ISPs to block Facebook, Twitter and Facebook in Pakistan.
According to media reports after the operation was commenced on court orders against Faizabad protesters PEMRA orders to take news channels off air.
However, Facebook and the Twitter user has confirmed that these services are working smoothly and can be accessed through mobile apps for now.
Earlier PEMRA had barred media from live coverage of Islamabad operation under Media Code of Conduct 2015.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has also shut down transmission of news channels including SAMAA TV following the clashes.
There was a constant discussion online on how some netizens are unable to use social media. Apparently, the reason is government’s directions to the ISP have to take the social media services down.
Thousands relied on television news and social media platforms to gain comprehensive information into the events unfolding in the country. This social media ‘blackout’ of sorts is restricting people from their right to information.
According to many social activists believe that the social media crackdown is to avoid any posting and sharing of Faizabad related content.
An anchorperson of Dunya News Moeed Pirzada said that Nawaz Sharif controlled regime, after blocking TV, is now doing the crackdown on Twitter, Facebook and social media sites, Criminal regime.
This isn’t the first time Pakistani officials have battled major tech companies. They did carry out on their threats to ban YouTube a couple of years ago due to controversial and offensive content.
In September 2012, Pakistan blocked YouTube after the site reportedly refused to take down an anti-Islam video that sparked protests in the country. The block has continued through March 2014.
Earlier due to this ban Internet traffic in Pakistan will decrease by 25% as per the report coming thru Pakistani media.