YOUTUBE has been banned in Pakistan for quite a long time. Instead of blocking the specific malicious websites, the PTCL has taken the easy way out by blocking the entire facility.

Recently, I wanted to see live Haj streaming on the Internet as this has been my routine for the last few years. I was disappointed that whichever website I visited, it was dependent on YouTube and displayed the ‘non-available’ sign.

I request that when taking such an action, both the pros and cons should be weighed. I am sure that like me, many students, researchers, and knowledge seekers are missing a great utility that has been blocked because of the malicious designs of one criminal mind and failure of our telecommunication authorities in taking the pain to selectively block the websites involved in posting blasphemous material.

DR IRFAN AHMED KHAN Karachi