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

Published: November 17, 2011

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

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.

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Reader Comments (171)

  • Katarina
    Jan 12, 2012 - 1:07AM

    Really a stupid and naive approach. Porn is not harmful and it is impossible to try to block all the million sites that are out there. If PTA is allowed to block sites how can you be sure that they are not blocking other sites like discussion forums for human rights and other sites that may have different opinions than the government.

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  • Ninja
    Jan 12, 2012 - 2:00AM

    well is that a joke , ?? i can CHALLENGE that these sites are still accessible, & very easily , PTA should appoint a really qualified staff on that, IF THeY REALLY WANT TO DO IT.

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  • Jan 12, 2012 - 9:02PM

    i m happy now

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  • Mujahid Mehmood
    Jan 12, 2012 - 10:35PM

    i like it and appreciate the PTA attention cos it was ruining our new generation.

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  • hmmm
    Jan 13, 2012 - 12:53AM

    thnx to PTA

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  • arslan
    Jan 13, 2012 - 3:11AM

    well you know even if they appoint a so called qualified staff on that they cannot blocked sites. bcoz anonymous proxies just rocks.. not even the USA national broadcasting sites like hulu and netflix can detect my location and easily let me enter … then what is this PTA.. guys get real no site can be blocked .. atleast not by PTA itself if you know what i mean.

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  • tahir
    Jan 13, 2012 - 6:11AM

    good work in pakistan in first time

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  • Zahid
    Jan 13, 2012 - 11:56AM

    so basically pta got scared and did it.. instead of fighting cyber crime. great. promote cyber terrorism

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  • Jan 13, 2012 - 12:39PM

    i am requestin from pta that they should open porn sides it is just time passing we are not doing practically if u are closing the sides what about the cds can u clear it no then u have to open that sites again

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  • sheikh
    Jan 13, 2012 - 2:52PM

    what about proxies???????????????

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  • Prometheus
    Jan 13, 2012 - 8:34PM

    Who has the right to tell me what to do and what not to do? How does the PTA know that I share its view of what is right for me?

    If people were given a choice to choose their countries upon turning eighteen, I am sure the population of Pakistan would at least be one-fourth of what it is now. Societies in which individuals cannot come to terms with their own bodies tend to turn into a chaotic mess.

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  • Jan 13, 2012 - 10:42PM

    No Electricity
    No Gas
    No Water
    People Dying of Hunger
    Almost every Paki is a Crook –Sorry, but before cursing me just think how many you know who are truly honest?
    Money Devaluing every second
    No Jobs for the Youth –Just great Jazz, Ufone, Telenor, Warid Packages to Talk all Night
    No Sports
    No True Islamic Centers for the young ones to learn how beautiful our Religion is
    Dirty Politics

    17.6% of the total population has access to Internet and we say bravo to blocking sites!
    Well if everyone is happy than I am happy!
    But we need to look at the bigger picture!

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  • xyz
    Jan 14, 2012 - 11:00AM

    Well i think this is really a bad decision, this will increase the frustration and thus rape, crimes and many other.

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  • Sikander
    Jan 14, 2012 - 4:50PM

    very very very nice thannnnnksRecommend

  • hahahah
    Jan 14, 2012 - 10:31PM

    proxy removers can do any thng and proxies can be removed so easily :P

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  • Farrukh
    Jan 15, 2012 - 6:43AM

    That only makes people more eager to watch porn…yeh PTA step is positive now people will start learn how to access these website, or Bypass these restrictions. If they are that much interested to block something, block Google, MSN, Yahoo etc(Search engines)…but they can’t, so the attempt was good from PTA but NOT FOOL PROOF!!!

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  • mir abubakkar
    Jan 15, 2012 - 1:44PM

    thanx PTA for this act.
    ther r many porn websites in internet,so i hope that PTA would must be block all in future…….

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  • zeeshan
    Jan 15, 2012 - 2:26PM

    Wellcome
    PTA Jo bhi site band kare gi main use open ker k dikhaonga
    Prove….

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  • osk
    Jan 15, 2012 - 4:53PM

    i think its a bad decision it will raise sexual crimes..

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  • small internet cabel op
    Jan 15, 2012 - 8:27PM

    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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  • Muhammad Raheel
    Jan 16, 2012 - 1:21PM

    I salute suprime court of Pakistan, who order this act, and thank you ptcl toampliment this order. May Allah bless both.Recommend

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