Ali Aftab says the internet providers were helping the bands’ cause and any attempt to band the video would backfire.
An email sent by the Enforcement Division of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) directed the ISPs to block the video available on websites including Vimeo and Facebook.
The band confirmed the development and said that the video was completely banned on internet services and a disclaimer saying “This video is not suitable for viewers inside Pakistan” appears every time the video is accessed on Vimeo.
Ali Aftab, the band’s front man, said that the internet providers were simply helping the bands’ cause and any attempt to band the video would backfire.
“They are helping us and making this video controversial,” said Aftab.
“Our video is asking for across-the-board accountability,” says Aftab. He also emphasised that the no television channel is airing the video, due to apprehensions that it may be too critical of the armed forces.
Several online activists and supporters of the band also expressed disdain over the video’s unavailability. Columnist and writer Tazeen Javed also wrote a blog titled “The Ultimate Beyghairti”.
“The Dhinak Dhinak video came back online after a few hours of ban. May be it was the cheeky message at the end of the video where the band asked their fans to not like the song – “No need to like the video, we will be dead any way” – that saved them,” she wrote.
COMMENTS (37)
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Nice song!!!
@TMM: What a clever comment, you must be one of the ingrates I was referring to.
@umar: If you ever Visit to Europe and US, you will find these are the only places where Muslims live most peacefully with their full civil rights. Also US and Europe don't discriminate based on which Islamic sect you belong to. Could you please let me know one Islamic country where the life standard of Muslims ( all sects) is better than US or Europe?
I'm so shocked to read that Pakistani newschannels are supported by USA. We all know what Najeem Sethi did when he asked US ambasy to help him making a program. Who is Geo News, Tribune.com.pk they are created by USA. Its shameful that our Pakistani leaders are sitting at their homes and are wachting the whole show. If we muslims don't help each other such things will become more and more normal in our country. This is the USA's interest to destroy muslims around the world.
@Disgusted: "Shame on those who can’t respect their heroes. Let those who are involved with this spend a day fighting the enemy then say what they like. Our Armed forces are the reason these people are alive and able to enjoy life. Shame on them and shame on those who have raised such ingrates." Doesn't look like the makers of the video begrudge the honor given to soldiers who fight to save Pakistan from its enemies. What they do take up cudgels against is who gets to define the enemy, the friend and so called assets. Most of the Pakistani soldiers dying today are at the hands of those that the Pakistan Army defined as "assets". Being ready to die for one's country as a soldier doesn't give one the right to lord over its people as their masters. And that too for a record as poor as this? No Way!
Please stop dreaming about army stepping in to save anything or anyone. Although I have a lot of respect for the Jawans in our army, their higher ups are not not saviors of any kind. In Pakistan, the higher up in the military are in the business of making money. Nowhere in the world is the military in the market of making cement, textile, bread and cereal etc. They have an unfair advantage in these businesses. Nowhere in the world the military builds exclusive enclaves that are later sold to the public at incredible mark ups like defense etc. I am appalled when they build these gated communities like Bahria town in Karachi that are heavily guarded (good) and then charge general public a lot of money to buy so that they and their families can live peacefully without fear of kidnapping and armed robberies etc. Isn't it the duty of army to protect ALL citizens of the cities? Not just the one who can afford to live in these fortified communities. While the poor citizens in the cities are at the mercy of TTP, MQM, ANP, Aman committee etc. the army only protects the people in these townships? Aren't the people, who die in explosions get looted on the highways and are robbed at home every night, people of this country that the army swears to protect? When the police and other agencies have miserably failed and are either not capable of or not willing to provide protection people look at the army but our army higher ups have been well "compensated" by our current government and they no longer want to save the people because there is no money it doing this job for them. So keep on dreaming about our army stepping in to "save" us because that is not part of their "responsibilities"
Third rate video..third rate song..Vulgarity and no sense of music or verse...but does represent the vulgar VIP "culture"
OK to ban them.
@Disgusted: Grow up or shut up
Save our Generals !! Pllease! Only one thing we are self sufficient in and we produce in such high quality that if it was allowed we would be exporting them overseas and they are our "Generals" and Military Dictators. Somethings are just too sacred ! In India its cows and in Pakistan ...its ............well........................................not cows!
filled with extreme over acting and no message at all. It shouldn't have been banned seriously, it would get 1 star as an average rating otherwise. Anyway The group seem to have highly pathetic sense of humor. :(
Why do I feel that most of the comments that go against the article and liberal fascists are censored by ET?
some1 send them to wana or siachien. Generals are patriotic and do whats in best interest of Pak. politician do for money n fame
most of the people, those who were to listen it in the first place, wouldn't bother to listen this lame song till the end but since it's been made controversial, the video song will attract more viewers. the sacred cows still have no idea that thoughts, specially online, can never be contained and what's uploaded is uploaded. the band's frontman is right. the attempt to block the video has backfired and brought nothing but more asked for criticism to the army.
Cheap tricks to gain publicity indeed.
Army has done a great job not meddling in the politics.
These hypocrites westernised liberals r the real problem we have
i just LOVED the song n video...can't stop listening to it..great job guys
Shame on those who can't respect their heroes. Let those who are involved with this spend a day fighting the enemy then say what they like. Our Armed forces are the reason these people are alive and able to enjoy life. Shame on them and shame on those who have raised such ingrates.
An over acting bunch of jokers!
I cant understand the language :(
There is yet hope for Pakistan.
Very true. I like it but "we know you are going to be dead soon "
Are You Pakistani or Indian@Ahmad Hashmi:
Thank you PTA! THe honour of Generals must be kept and maintained!
@reformer: When did Generals became the Mentor and Teachers of Pakistan and of Democracy.?? Also kindly end this Holier attitude that some powerful people cannot be criticized and they must be worshiped at all times.
@truth: It is not about the video but about the lyrics of the song. All songs are not meant to be listened and viewed only because of a Video.
Yes, we know you are going to be dead quite soon. That is the cost of speaking the truth. RIP.
Bunch of Losers, Hungry for fame. People who don't respect their teachers and mentors are never successful. Cheap tricks Ail Aftab !!
Pathetic video..!!
InshAllah army changes as the political system changes. Kayani has done a good job not meddling in politics in public.
A true song! Good job!
Some one is trying to send a message to these guys. A bomb may explode and TTP may claim the responsibility.
Nevermind my earlier comment; it's working now.
Pathetic video...!!!
Working at my end... Bakwass song
Great message via the vidoe!! Keep up the good work.
Military is in panic mode. Musharraf is now a joke, Zaid Hamid exposed on conspiring against COAS and now a satirical video. So they ban Capital TV and block Dhinak Dhinak. Whoever is making Army take such steps is foolish.