PTA bans official Ahmadi website: Report
A PTA official, speaking to The Nation, said that the site was blocked because, as per the Constitution, the Ahmadis are not allowed to propagate their religious views publicly. He added that the PTA has already blocked several sites with inappropriate content in the past.
ProPakistani had earlier reported that the site was blocked after it was accused of publishing blasphemous content against the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The Nation's sources add that the Muttahida Ulema Board had demanded that PTA block the website for blasphemous content.
After media reports emerged of the site blockade, former MNA Farahnaz Ispahani tweeted saying that she had taken up the issue with concerned officials in Pakistan and is waiting for action.
Former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani also tweeted that the blockade “reflects religious intolerance and violates constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.”
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I think they want another Syria in Pakistan.
Pakistan is well on the road to self-destruction.
@Lolly!:
I agree with you. It is according to the constitution of Pakistan. Unless and until the constitution is scrapped there is no hope for the Pakistanis to "FREE" themselves of the "mullahism" which has plagued the country since 1954.
MAV Sweden
@ OMAR- We have to make own country enlightened should not randomly make any arguments comparing Pakistan any other than country as being a patriotic Pakistani because our country has produced Scientists Nobel Laureate and world record holders of educations sector be an enlightened Pakistani. Our country has many hues in positive manner comparing any other than country diverse complications are because of Ulama do not want to see the generation of Pakistan in enlightened. Elm Hasil Karo Kawae Tumhe CHINE JANA PADE??????
The authorities don't ban Heera Mandi which sits next to the largest mosque in lahore but need to ban this website - typical Jahil Pakistani mentality which we are now renowned for around the world
Just info.. Website Working in London.
For all of you, the website is not banned! only PTCL has blocked or God knows what's wrong otherwise it's still working. Had it been banned by PTA it would have been banned on all ISP's. All those devout Ahmedi's should change their ISP's instead of whining about!
@Confused !!!: We are not scared of others' preaching, we are afraid of ourselves, not confident enough in our belief lest we change!
@Nadir: Why not ban militant websites? Mr Malik!
@ UMS
You are mistaken when you equate opposition to this ban to mean that people do not value islamic principles.
In fact those who oppose this ban are doing so IN SUPPORT OF ISLAMIC VALUES. You know those values of tolerance, peace and decency which our rabid mullahs so easily discard in favor of the "values" of persecuting minorities, oppressing women, growing beards and killing anybody they don't like.
Why is it that people forget the true fundamentals of Islam in favour of the totally ignorant "fundamentals" that actually breach the basic parameters of behaviour set for muslims?
@Talha:
FYI it is accessible, at least via wi-tribe. So its not blocked by PTA.
I don't care which site is blocked, too many other important things to deal with in Pakistan! poverty, justice, heath care, education, killings! PEOPLE PRIORITISE THINGS STOP BEING AIMLESS AND RANTING EVERYTHING!
P.S DO CHECK THE WEBSITE ITS WORKING.
Well done PTA
Welcome to Islamic Republic of Pakistan !!
AOA, I think its wrong this is not fair. Ahmedies are minority and should be treated fairly. On other hand Ahmedi should abide law as well. Ahmedi is not suppose to call himself/ herself as Muslim and site was clear violation of law " Law could be wrong i may not agree but its law".
Instead of doing these act ahmedies should be invited for debate on TV, so that people can find the truth. If Ahmedies think media is biased they should start debate sessions on MTA. Even Ahmedies need to understand their on religion.
For Ahmedies please visit www.thecult.info ( Ahmedi Beleife section) and ask your local leadership for answers.
Thanks and apologize if i hurt some one feelings
@Muslim Yes Pakistan's foundation is strong. The young and well educated want to leave the country, the government and politicians are corrupt, television 'journalists' take back handers, the police are incompetent, the telecoms infrastructure is on it's knees, the civil service is politicised and lacks real talent, your railways arent even the envy of the third world, your national airline is bankrupt and only propped up by the government to avoid national embarrassment, when the Sunni's and Shia's are intent on killing each other, the Taliban happily step in, there's mob justice, no justice, criminality on a mass scale, bribery, rape, murder, looting, the rich steal from the poor, need me to go on? Was this the Pakistan jinnah wanted? Let me tell you something, there are people in Pakistan who act and think like they have some kind of monopoly over Islam. Do they not look at their surroundings and think something had gone wrong somewhere? The Islamic republic of Pakistan? Only in name.
I am not an Ahmedi, just an average Pakistani, but to my Ahmedi brothers, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize for this insane behavior.
@Lolly!: The Pakistani Constitution does NOT prohibit any faith, including Islam, from "propagating" its views.
The basic question is this:
Does everyone have a right to freely propagate their religion no matter how offensive, harmful, and destructive it may be to those of others who care for the religious views of people?
This website is blocked in KSA as well.
Capitulation by PTA to religious extremists demands is in reality a defeat of Islam the final greatest religion and it's true followers. Islam is not weak nor is it devoid of able scholars who cannot counter academic attacks on Islam. By banning we are accepting defeat!
Banned still !!
Anything done under the constitution of Pakistan, must be praised and appreciated.
There are thousands of websites spreading hatred in the name of islam. PTA is blind to see them, This is the worst step taken by PTA. Blocking other religions’ websites is unethical. According to universal law (Pakistan’s constition) every person is free to follow his own religious teachings . Blocking Ahmadiya websites is actually religious racism.I am Secular: but i just dont support religious discrimination. I dont know why Pakistanis are so scared of Ahmadis,Hindus,Christens,Shias etc , they are a small group of peaceful people who are peacefully living their lives in Pakistan.
Another needless stupidity!
@Aadi Virgo: Only the educated people are top reader of ET !!
@Maestro: try http://www.alislam.org and let us know if it is working in Pakistan
@ali: Are you 100% sure? If it is working then what for this fuss is going on. ET to be blamed for carrying a wrong report.
What's the address of the website?
Or should I just google Al Islam?
They government has blocked the internet like it has blocked the supply of water to homes. The pipelines are there, but water will not be supplied.
the website is working fine !!! idiots
@Muslim: Let me remind you what ex President Musharraf said of the Muslim world: "Today we are the poorest, the most illiterate, the most backward, the most unhealthy, the most un-enlightened, the most deprived, and the weakest of all the human race" Just like in Pakistan you want Ahmadis to be looked down, in UK and the West the "Muslims" are looked down. It is not done through their own choice but we have not adopted to democracy and the concept of "secularism". To prove my point please refer to this UK Government article: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmhaff/165/16507.htm Our future is bleak.
@Acorn Guts: I was being sarcastic. I totally agree with your implications. In fact I will go further. To best judge Pakistan is by looking at what independent foreign experts say about it. Pakistan seem to have taken the wrong turn from the very beginning and I hate to say this but the person who set the ball rolling in the first place was Mr Jinnah himself. This link sums up the present sad story of Pakistan: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6940148.stm In UK you ask an average student who Mr Jinnah was and they would not have a clue (as opposed to other leaders of his time). Its like me saying "can the last person leaving the room please switch off the lights".
@M.: you can join them too... And its WE... its only wanna-bee 'cool' ppl such as yourself who are not a part of the 'WE'... Trust me you guys are in a pathetic minorty :)
I do not intend to make a correction in Blasphemy laws of pakistan, Nor am i intend to suggest an amendment to sub clauses of constitution of pakistan, yet i rather request to wise head liberal,social,tolerant peoples to not to knell down before futher radicalised mindset and an idealogy that seek nothing but hypocratic sense of ruling with uncalled for means and ways. Get your head and heart together to defeat such forces which intend to knuckle up the sense of freedom and jinnah's dream.
I Thank You.
@Muslim : Speak for yourself. Say "I" not "we"
@tariq: why dont you guys shift out of Pakistan? We dont like you anyway... So why bother with all this rhetoric of winning the 'hearts & minds'?? We like minorities, just not you guys.
this action shows the defeat. we ahmadies take no tension of these actions. if you have courage like men so come out with your arms and don't take away our arms than see who wins the heart winning war.(i don't mean the material war). the victory belongs to us in any case by the grace of ALLAH.
For information of all the broad minded liberals out there, Ahmedis/Qadiyanis/Lahori Group can not propagate & preach there relegion in Pakistan. so, this ban by PTA is completely in line with our constitution. Hope this seems logical to you, since Islamic values & laws have no value in your eyes.
I am surprised that anyone should be surprised at this government action.
@sharp eye: Now that's just hilariously sad. If you're going to post as another person to back your own comment up, it's a pretty good idea to make sure you don't accidentally post the exact same comment under both the "other you" and "you."
Religion is supposed to be a source of enlightenment. In Pakistan, it seems to be a source of blind hatred.
@Iqbal:
So what else 'Islamic' do we excel in? apart from declaring people kafir all the time?
cowards ...
Seems like Ahmadi are top reader of ET
O Pakistan and Pakistanis you should have nothing to interfere to the relationship between the Creator and His creation. O land of Pakistan everyday innocent people are being killed but Ulama will not be worried, how many women are being raped and Ulama will not open their mouth. even on internet so many naked immoral things are there but ulama will not request to be banned.
Please come to the beautiful teaching of Islam that there is no compulsion in the matter of religion and you should bring your evidences and proofs if only you are truthful.
The more I defend Pakistan, the more indefensible Pakistan is made.
Website is banned in Saudi Arabia also.
Good job PTA.
@sharp eye: i love ur comment Good Job PTA
@sharp eye: i love ur comment Good Job PTA
For everyone's info, the website is banned in the UAE as well, so its not just Pakistan.
Throughout the history of mankind who preached and stoped people Talking and Listeng.?The people who banned the debate was always wrong.The weaker in Argument always looks towards Sword and Bans.
Good job pta..
Remember we are called "The Islamic Republic of Pakistan"!
Not Working Here 1000 Likes For this PTA
Before acquiring any nationality we are first Muslims,and being muslim we hav a responsiblity to stop if any wrong or manuplated things coming for Allah n His Prophet(p.b.u.h) thru any channel..we should be broad minded and look upon other raised issues too but should never take these matters lightly. If the site was really comin up with misconception of our religion and prophecy it should def. be banned
Please tell us that how much you are acting on other constitutional rights of minorities?
When sanity and rationlaity evaporates from civil soceity such decision are taken. Inforamtion technology is the hub for educational sorce in globalized world. If PTA considers its ban on, www.alislam.org, will have any effect it is mistaken. Searchers very soon will pave the way to access the website. By the way PTA what you are up to? For God sake do not bow your head to religious clerics other wise there will be no end to it. With each such step civil society is getting momento to its path of collapse and disaster. Is there any one left in the country who can put stop to such atrocities?
this is pakistan .. !!! is it quiad's Pakistan !! is it islamic Republic of pakistan !! shame of Government.
Height of insanity! We surely have gone crazy.
For all those think that this is right, can you guys tell me that why we complain when someone write anything against our religion or make cartoons, as those guys did according to their constitutions which say 'freedom of speech' !! .. We Muslims are allowed to go any country and have every right to preach ISLAM but we just can't tolerate a website ?? Grow up people and have some sense. Have some fate in your believes and give others right to say what they think is right . Freedom of Speech for ALL or NONE !!!!
Democracy at its WORST
I honestly don't understand the difference between this democracy and dictatorship
Great effort serch more contents near about and sent to PTA. Great effort hope to continue.
“You may belong to any religion or caste or creed...that has nothing to do with the business of the state. You are free, free to go to your temples; you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan.”
Founder of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah
But it's still accessible..So it's just a news not reality
I don't get whats wrong with blocking a website that publishes blasphemous content.
Yes!!
PTA can not stop porn or others fatal websites.But they proved to be a great muslim by doing this..Well done!! Keep it up.
Good, as per constitution.
Excuse of blasphemy has become an easy method of oppression. Allegation of blasphemy does not require any evidence, court, judge or jury. Just a demand by Mullahs somewhere and the government, or a mob, would take action. We live in dark ages if anyone had any doubts.
Ban everything, it will only hurt Pakistan and Pakistanis.
Oh wow and I can still acess a string of militant websites, youtube videos showing children being groomed for becoming suicide bombers and terrorist propaganda.