Laal’s Facebook page now accessible to Pak-based internet users

Published June 7, 2014
Courtesy Laal's Facebook page.
Courtesy Laal's Facebook page.

KARACHI: Taimur Rahman, a political activist and member of Pakistani rock band Laal, has said that the band’s Facebook page is now accessible to internet users in Pakistan.

Rahman wrote in a tweet: “Yes its true. PTA banned us in Pakistan. We fought back. And we won. Laal is back in action!”

The page had been inaccessible for Pakistan-based internet users since Wednesday. However, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had denied blocking the popular band’s page, saying that Facebook had acted on its own accord and PTA had no role in the matter.

A story published in the The New York Times on Friday quoted Facebook officials as saying that while they resist censorship as much as possible, their leverage was limited in countries like Pakistan “where the government imposes constraints with little public debate”.

Laal is well-reputed among people for its progressive politics. Their Facebook page has seen an increase in number of users frequently joining in for debates on different socio-political subjects.

However, advocates said late on Friday that at least six other Facebook pages which they described as pro-democracy, secular and progressive were also blocked during the week and continue to remain inaccessible, the NYT report said.

These pages include “Taalibansarezalimans” and “Pakistani.meem” and were said to be becoming popular among the people.

Opinion

Editorial

Upholding rights
27 Jul, 2024

Upholding rights

EVEN a perceived threat to civil rights and freedom of expression undermines democracy; it impedes the enforcement ...
Brutal crime
27 Jul, 2024

Brutal crime

THE horrific incident of a woman allegedly gang-raped in front of her husband and three-year-old daughter near...
Back in parliament
27 Jul, 2024

Back in parliament

MORE than two years after MNAs loyal to former prime minister Imran Khan fatefully resigned from the legislature...
Judicial constraints
Updated 26 Jul, 2024

Judicial constraints

The fact that it is being prescribed by the legislature will be questioned, given the political context.
Macabre spectacle
26 Jul, 2024

Macabre spectacle

Israel knows that regardless of the party that wins the presidency, America’s ‘ironclad’ support for its genocidal endeavours will continue.