News World-News

Pakistan blocks Wikipedia for 'blasphemous content'

Pakistan blocks Wikipedia for 'blasphemous content'
Photo:BBC

Wikipedia has been blocked in Pakistan for hosting "blasphemous content".

The move was announced after the free online encyclopaedia was given a 48-hour deadline to remove some material.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said Wikipedia failed to comply with its ultimatum.

The Wikimedia Foundation, which hosts Wikipedia, said the ban meant Pakistanis would be denied access "to the largest free knowledge repository".

Blasphemy is a highly sensitive and incendiary issue in Pakistan.

Other platforms including Tinder, Facebook and YouTube were previously blocked in the Muslim-majority country.

PTA spokesperson Malahat Obaid said Wikipedia failed to respond to "repeated correspondence" over the removal of "blasphemous content".

He says they did remove some of the material but not all, confirming that the website would remain blocked until "all the objectionable material" was removed.

Details of the material in question have not been revealed.

The Wikimedia Foundation said if the ban continued it would "deprive everyone access to Pakistan's knowledge, history, and culture".

Source: BBC

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
Scoreboard
Full Time
Cowboys 12–82 Roosters
Full Time
Dragons 22–28 Dolphins
Full Time
Storm 22–36 Bulldogs
8:10AM
Ireland vs Argentina
11:40PM
Italy vs South Africa
2:10AM
Scotland vs New Zealand
Full Time
Yasawa 43–15 Navosa
1:40PM
Ra High vs Ratu Kadavulevu School
3:05PM
Cuvu College vs Nasinu Secondary
4:30PM
Lelean Memorial School vs Rt Navula College
3:00PM
Rewa vs Malolo
3:00PM
Navosa vs Taveuni
3:00PM
Naitasiri vs Kadavu
11:00AM
Rewa vs Namosi
11:00AM
Nasinu vs Macuata
11:00AM
Naitasiri vs Kadavu
1:30PM
Labasa vs Lautoka
3:00PM
Navua vs Rewa
3:00PM
Ba vs Tailevu Naitasiri