Pakistan unblocks WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook after 4hrs

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocked WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, popular social media sites, for four hours across the country Friday morning. Services were restored by about 3pm after Jummah prayers. Pakistan has banned social media across the country with immediate effect from 11 am to 3 pm on Friday. The decision has been taken to maintain the law and order situation in the country.

The temporary ban sees the blockage of WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube in Pakistan in the wake of the ongoing Islamist protests. Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior has ordered the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to impose the ban effective immediately throughout the country. The authorities have in the past suspended mobile phone and internet services in the areas where the party protesters had gathered in Islamabad and parts of Punjab. This is the first time a ban has been imposed on all social media sites across the country. Although the notification issued by the interior ministry did not mention a reason for the suspension, the development comes after several days of unrest in the country due to protests by the recently proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).