ISLAMABAD: Internet users across the country were surprised to find that popular blogging platform Wordpress.com was no longer accessible from Pakistan.

The website was inaccessible on several major internet service providers on Sunday, but there was no official word from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on whether the ban was official or not.

There was speculation that the closure was linked to security preparations ahead of the Pakistan Day parade, to be held on Monday for the first time in seven years. However, these reports could not be independently verified.

Also read: YouTube to remain blocked 'indefinitely' in Pakistan: officials

A PTA spokesperson, when contacted for confirmation, refused to comment on the development.

Wordpress is a blogging platform that also allows Internet users to create their own websites via easy-to-use templates. Thousands of Pakistanis and several Pakistan-based businesses use Wordpress to host their blogs and websites.

Published in Dawn March 23rd , 2015

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