IT ministry opposes blocking of websites

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haque has emphasised that the IT ministry is against the blocking of any website as it impedes development process and cuts off links to the digital world.

“The Ministry of IT must be consulted prior to closing any website in future. Blocking of any website means disconnection to the digital world, which will lead to both social and economic disadvantages,” he remarked while chairing a ministerial committee meeting on the blockage of Wikipedia on Thursday.

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar and Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar attended the meeting.

The IT minister underscored the need for creating awareness among the masses that they should not visit the websites containing objectionable content. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) authorities could consult the Ministry of Law on the directives they got from any side.

Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar said that “we endorse the unblocking of Wikipedia on the directives of the prime minister”.

Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Additional Secretary (In charge) Mohsin Mushtaq, member legal, member telecom and PTA authorities were also present in the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2023.

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