Islamabad: On 1st Feb 2023, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) degraded Wikipedia services in the country on account of not blocking and removing sacrilegious content.
Wikipedia was approached for blocking and removal of the said contents by issuing a notice under applicable law and court order(s). An opportunity for a hearing was also provided; however, the platform neither complied by removing the blasphemous I content nor appeared before the Authority, PTA added.
Given the intentional failure on part of the platform to comply with the directions of PTA, the services of Wikipedia have been degraded for 48 hours with the direction to block and remove the reported contents. In case of non-compliance by Wikipedia, the platform will be blocked within Pakistan.
Further PTA said the restoration of the services of Wikipedia will be reconsidered subject to blocking and removal of the reported unlawful contents. PTA is committed to ensuring a safe online experience for all Pakistani citizens according to local laws.
