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News channels go off air, Facebook and YouTube blocked in parts of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Saturday afternoon issued a notification prohibiting live coverage of the operation to end the Faizabad sit-in, following which most private news channels were taken off-air in Islamabad and other parts of the country.
The Pemra notification ordered channels to abide by Clause 8 (8) of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct 2015, to show "utmost sensitivity" and refrain from coverage of the operation.
"This channel is suspended on orders of Pemra," read a message appearing on multiple news channels.
Additionally, Facebook, YouTube, DailyMotion, Twitter and Instagram have been blocked in some parts of the country. No notice has been issued about this development.
There are reports that the federal government is mulling temporarily suspending mobile phone signals – a now-common practice during security situations.
Later, Twitter also acknowledged that the social media website had been blocked in Pakistan by the government and assured its users that the company was "monitoring the situation". In a tweet, the Twitter Public Policy account hoped that the service in the country would be restored soon.
Comments (94) Closed
if it is democracy then what is dictatorship
Looters,murders.money launder democracy. It's attack on freedom of press.
Yay, freedom of speech!
I support this decision covering it would just make things worse
A step in the right direction.
I don't think it is really bad. However everyone has his own views but If the live coverage of any sensitive matter is harmful for the peace in the country, then it is better to ban such coverages.
I could not access my FB,Twitter or insta accounts in rawalpindi,even youtube is not working.
Good move. Keep them close.
Every news channe shouldl abide by the rules and put forward the intreast of country at their first priority rather than following a perticular agenda.
Facebook is also down.
I can't believe it! There definitely is something fishy, how come in a democratic set up one can shut down or stop media from covering an event which is definitely not a "national security risk" issue.
I wonder when would the N-league government change its attitude of "its my way, or the highway". This is called selective implementation of Judicial orders as well (in case this government says that it's just following the directions of Islamabad High Court).
how low can you sink pmln and its supporters? shame
good move actually... this should help to stop situation flaring up in other areas...
Freedom of press under threat in this so called democracy
Real face of PAK democracy. Release terrorists and support terrorists and ban media coverage...!
This is bad, Pakistan should outsource the governance to china , they will do better job.
Without news channels life will be so peaceful. It was right direction.
Even Twitter has been disabled
The government has banned Twitter and other social media
Is this not a violation of basic rights and constitution? Where is Justice? If the Democratic govt behave like this, what can they expect from dictators. Why they shouting on tv channels about justice, democracy , votes etc. Why tv channels not protest against this act of govt
Good decision!! New channels purpose is only to incite violence and gain more TRPs. They're also responsible for murder of Salman Taseer by promoting propaganda.
Good decision to keep people safe and not to get more people get hurt ..: it’s called sensible journalism ..
Shame!! Funeral of Freedom of Speech.
That's very good. These channels onlycreate panic by shoing so called 'breaking news' all tge time.
Facebook and Twitter is also not working, this is very sad. Govt incompetence is on its peak.
@Huma Arif when the little child died because family can not reach hospital,where was your freedom of speech.
COAS tells Prime Minister to take care of things. Government bans Media and Social Media. Welcome to Islamic "Democratic" Republic of Pakistan.
Closure of channels is the lowest point of N-League Govt. No body should dare to interfere with freedom of speech.
The decision of our authorities especially regarding electronic media freedom are in the either of two extremes. If there was a regulation on the media to follow, there was no need to ban the channels today. It is a misfortune of Pakistan that the authorities have no control over electronic media except to ban the channels.
This is unwise step, undemocratic too. Now, rumour mongering mill work full time, creating more uncertainities.
Pemra should allow all channels to provide information about the situation to the people. If some one want to go to Shahrah-E-Faisal, he must know what is going on over there. If you irritate the people, they will loathe about democracy.
Facebbook is also blocked now...
@zakir Nawaz Sharif Chamcha Absar Alam who is unfit even for a restaurant manager is controlling Pakistan's freedom of press, must go.
@Saeed Akhtar why ban social media?
Great decision because all TV channels would have long talk shows on this sensitive issue and they’ll create their own conspiracy theories which can trigger further violence all across the country
Great freedom of press in that country.
@MrA2Z That’s so true that’ll just create further violence all across the country
They have blocked both the TV news channels and social media sites like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Fool is the public who is supporting these dictators. Sources are telling that it is all being done under the "terms and conditions" imposed by US to Khawaja Asif on his US visit for getting support.
@Zohaib in a democracy, during a protest you leave room for the Ambulance and other emergency vehicles. The protesting party follows court decisions and they do not block trasportation and roads.
Protestors freedom ends where mine begins. The protestors had made life of ordinary citizens of Islamabad hell. No one interfered with their right to free speech even when they crossed limits of common decency. Government is also to blame for taking too long to act. Same as in case of Lal Masjid.
Pakistan failed state
Wonderful step by PEMRA to block these sites, because they only use the footage to further incite the issue and all those who are sitting to see unrest on our soil will simply enjoy. We have full confidence in our authorities and the military that they will handle the situation with an iron fist/
After this, my distrust of our government; its personal and the LEAs under their thumb has exponentially increased. Pity these corrupt leaders are spineless as well.
Pakistan walking Backwards
when will Facebook and other social sites will be reopened in Pakistan
Good decision by government.
Is this temporary or permanent??
why were channels not suspended on Darhna by PTI and why now is a big question
Channels and Social media should have been blocked before the operation. I feel peace of mind at least for now.
@zakir How about not rioting like goons?
And your first priority is bringing Cricket to Pakistan??? Strange country!
Freedom is the only solution. The writing is on the wall.
is it democracy?
hey anybody know how long this is going to last?
@SANA i think these sites are not banned permanently. They did it due to some security reasons and will unban soon.
Censorship like China
Useless govt. Cant handle a few thousand protestors and always make things worse.
That's why my Facebook account is not opening , I tried 100 times to open Facebook but couldn't , I was near to break my mobile thanks dawn news saving my mobile from breaking by reading the news of blocking Facebook and YouTube
A Tale of Two Pakistans.
@Global Peace .... Now they have seen this riot the Chinese turn down the offer. The tribal system is deteriorating and these people don't know what to do.
Mockery of Democracy. THis government has grossly mishandled the situation. Instead of negotiatiing Peaceful protestors, they have provoked them through force into a wider confrontation.
On the positive side, perhaps if the Courts are not able to ban and disqualify all the PML-N leadership, perhaps the street people power will do the job!
When will b social media acxble n Pakistan??
Its demoncracy
@Asad You are right. I think it will continue in the future. The freedom of media is at a great risk.
@Shah , they did the right thing and obeyed the SC order. The negotiation were going on for over 20 days. The Dhurna Group was offered an alternate location but refused. The motivation was political not as they said , religious. Good work PMLN.
@Zohaib , the Dhurna which disrupted the life of twin cities was Democratic?????? The Dhurna people were offered an alternate location but they refused. This action for was taken for the Democratic right of other people and as par the orders of the SC. Great job.
@Saleem ,good work by the Government for the greatest interest of the people. They offered an alternate location but Dhurna guys refused. Now deal with the tough situation.
What the hell how can they do this people can have all kinds of emergencies this is not right
Now understand, Mian ji wants this type of Pakistan.
FReedom of speech has been crushed in Pakistan.
Pakistan must keep its people deaf dumb and blind and not let them ever see the truth.
This is Nawaz Sharif and PML's democracy, silence the press and media to evade accountability. He has also threatened and abused the Supreme Court. The people of Pakistan demand that he is held accountable and punished accordingly. No politician or political party can be above the law.
@Onlooker so when it was done in Kashmir...Pakistanis were crying foul on this very same website...now the very same ppl tallmlike it was the right thing to do.
@zakir Democracy is overrated and has no meaning without law and order and literarcy. Most of these media channels are 3rd grade. All they do is inflame unnecesarry controversies amogst vastly illeterate nation of ours.
You all believe in TOOTH FAIRY??
I am not a supporter of the PMLN government and I know they are facing charges of corruption and fraud. However, when it comes to Faizabad sitting I SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT. In this case Supreme Court and the Government are on the same page while the opponents PTI and others are on the wrong side. After all the government is trying to establish their writ -- which is a patriotic issue.
When these websites will b unblocked????
How can they ban the social media? isn't it their failure of controlling the situation?
News channels are not mature enough to handle coverage professionally. They sensationalise excessively. I support this move
PMLN Doomed now.
PEMRA thinking people are children who can be misguided by channels. Such a shame.
it is bad.i can,t believe. it is so bad.it should not be done.how will now we communicate with friends,our relatives,parents and other people.only by mobile?so how can people with no phone communicate it is a good step but these things are very useful and help us in many ways so you please take back your decision.
That's definitely a good move by the government. Facebook, Twitter. Instagram and Youtube not working in Lahore too.
@Tahir sultan exactly same. It is so frustating
what the hell is going in our country
soo called democracy
We want instagram and Facebook back what will be left in Pakistan if these survives are also closed Kinsley get them back
Why Facebook And Youtube is not Working
In how many days will fb and insta work again?
@zakir any information about when fb and other network will start again
Ok. Might be its for safety or might be helping in preventing data tracking. InshaAllah it will be unblocked again soon!
@Onlooker spot on
Its good but For how many days twitter will disable.
Good job.....
@Tahir sultan its still working but so slow that I can't help out with that