PTA approved: Over 1,000 porn sites blocked in Pakistan

PTA provides list of 1,000 most frequented porn sites that are to be blocked. 170,000 others face blockage.


Jahanzaib Haque November 17, 2011

KARACHI: Over 1,000 pornographic websites are in the process of being blocked by internet service providers (ISP), following directives issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). 

While by no means a blanket ban given the vast amount of sites containing explicit content online, an official in a local ISP has confirmed that the PTA has provided a list of 1,000 most frequented porn sites in Pakistan that are to be blocked.

"They are adding to the list on a daily basis" confirmed the source.

The Express Tribune has received a list of over 170,000 websites the PTA purportedly may ban in Pakistan, however, an official from a local ISP provider states that such a blanket ban is unlikely.

"Blocking 170,000 sites is not feasible for any operator. The screening time on a per request basis will essentially slow the internet down to make it unusable."

Websites currently blocked by ISPs redirect users to a page with a message that reads: "This page is blocked due to restrictions enforced by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA)."

Earlier this year, a hacker had managed to bypass security on the Supreme Court's website, posting a message that called on the PTA to ban pornographic websites or face further online attacks. A similar attack was carried out on the PTA's own website.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2011.

COMMENTS (171)

Muhammad Raheel | 12 years ago | Reply I salute suprime court of Pakistan, who order this act, and thank you ptcl toampliment this order. May Allah bless both.
small internet cabel op | 12 years ago | Reply

unemployed people who provide internet cable in there muhalla's to earn few thousands per month to feed there poor families are recieving messages from there customers tht thy will stop paying them if there are no porn sites on there cable ??

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