PTA blocks website aimed at country’s gay community

Published September 26, 2013
A screen grab of the website.
A screen grab of the website.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Internet watchdog has blocked the country's first website aimed at gay people, saying it was “against Islam”.

The queerpk.com site, set up to help members of Pakistan's homosexual and transgender community socialise and share experiences, was shut down on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority said they had halted access to the site after complaints from Internet users.

“We blocked the website under the law because its content was against Islam and norms of Pakistani society,” said spokesman Kamran Ali.

However, if vistors now try to access the website they are redirected to another URL of the same thing.

Homosexuality is illegal in Pakistan.

Queerpk.com's moderator, who asked not to be named, said he would not challenge the ban in the courts for fear of a “negative reaction”.

“We wanted to provide a platform for people who are being abandoned by society because of their sexual likes,” he told AFP.

“I was not hopeful about the future of the website, I was convinced that sooner or later it would be banned.”

He said the site had a mix of members, with 44 per cent identifying themselves as female and 56 as males.

A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that Pakistan was among the least tolerant of homosexuality among 39 countries surveyed.

Opinion

Editorial

Rebuilding trust
Updated 15 May, 2025

Rebuilding trust

Both countries will have to restart the dialogue process. One major step India can take would be to honour the IWT.
Political off-ramp
15 May, 2025

Political off-ramp

IN the midst of every crisis, there lies great opportunity. With the nation basking in the afterglow of Pakistan’s...
Awami League ban
15 May, 2025

Awami League ban

BANGLADESH stands at a key crossroads. While the ouster of Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s government and the formation of ...
Crisis averted
Updated 14 May, 2025

Crisis averted

As nuclear nations, both countries must wield their powers with utmost responsibility and immense restraint.
US-Israel ties
14 May, 2025

US-Israel ties

AS Donald Trump landed in Riyadh on Tuesday to a regal reception, questions were swirling whether the American...
PSL resumption
14 May, 2025

PSL resumption

THE Pakistan Super League is back on. Postponed last week following escalating Pakistan-India tensions, the ...