Pakistani Government Blocks 13,000 obscene Websites: Official

The Government of Pakistan has blocked the access of the 13,000 obscene websites, according to the Parliamentary Secretary for Information Technology, Nawab Liaqat Ali Khan, who informed the National Assembly on Thursday.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken stern action against obscene websites and ordered the internet service providers to block their access in Pakistan.

“It is a serious issue and we are trying to address it,” said the IT parliamentary secretary, while replying to a Calling Attention Notice, adding that the government was mindful of the situation.

He maintained that the government is utilising all available resources to counter this challenge.

Khan also proposed the formation of a Ministerial Committee and a sub-committee to look into the matter.

Expressing concern over the rapid increase in obscene websites, he said,

“At present the government has no mechanism to block all of these websites and are trying to devise a mechanism, however, we take action on complaints.”

He quoted the example of China and India who have installed a costly Automated Filtration System, which could also block anti-government websites, but clarified that this system, if installed, would still be unable to block all obscene websites.

Via Express Tribune