Decision taken for security reasons during meeting with Sindh CM. PHOTO: FILE
The decision was taken during a meeting between Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and other officials including the additional IG Karachi, DG Rangers and representatives of intelligence agencies.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon confirmed the decision in a press briefing. He said that the networks would be banned because terrorists are using them, having switched over from regular mobile services. Memon said the Sindh government has also requested the federal government to contact these companies and ask them for "access".
This is not the first time communication services have been blocked in the name of security. A number of temporary cellular service blocks were implemented in 2013 by the government as an anti-terrorism measure.
In 2011, the government ordered all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to discontinue all virtual private network (VPN) services in Pakistan to prevent extremists from using the secure networks for communication. It is unclear whether this order was fully implemented.
News of the upcoming blockage comes the same day as Freedom House, an independent watchdog organisation, launched a report ranking Pakistan among the bottom 10 countries on net freedom.
The report stated that various political and social obstacles to net freedom have been put in place by successive governments in the name of fighting terrorism.
In blocking these services, Pakistan follows in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia, where Viber is banned.
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COMMENTS (141)
So stupid.
They should use the ip addresses to locate these supposed terrorists. Instead they are now pushing them into using proxies which will make it near impossible to backtrace them.
secondly these terrorists using skype is so dumb I mean come on these terrorists must be real dumb or pakistan needs some it specialist in their terrorist catching department
Unless it's all about the money
pakistani government always took steps which kills poor people. they cant stop terrorism by putting ban on vib. sab paisay bnanay k tarreqay hain
this gov is acting like as if we have no army we have no forces we have no police, off course we dont, all the fighting forces are for pakistani awaam, not for terrorists.
It's blocked to provide security to mobile phone operators and receive hefty kick backs in return. These stupid fellows don't know that on phone people can use code words to accomplish the task. Are they stupid enough to use normal conversation that tomorrow we will detonate bombs in xyz (God forbid) areas.
this is one of most stupid decisions ever. i do not know how nonsense these decisions maker are. terrorist are very equipped and rich people. they will find other ways which will be even more secure. its only public that will suffer. if government really want to use technology to improve security they should have monitored these services and that would have been very helpful to track terrorists. now public will suffer and terrorist will still be using more advance facilities. and btw emails come to mobile directly like messages. so whats point of banning skype?????????
again will say this decision only shows mentality of these nonsense decision makers. who do not have vision to look broad at things.
v v disappointed
Qaim Il-sung Eternal CM of Sind-younyang
Thanks, Peace Diya!!!
The question rises here,id est,shall this ban on Skype,Viber and Tango be the guarantee of controlling terrorism in Karachi even after three months when ban will be lifted? How much awkward and backward our leaders have been who are taking Pakistan towards dark age and stone age in the 21st century,most especially importantly when the world has been a global village and people of different cultures,traditions and parts of the world are coming more and more closure and closure by using the these different social media networks,by taking the temporary steps of blocking the social media networks to control terrorism instead of uprooting the terrorism by taking the sold steps!!!!
I am sorry to say but if in Islamabad have any problem so all karachi can be blocked and jf lahore have boom blast so karachi have karfeu and also if any minister in Islamabad is ill or fever so karachi have Holliday and also any motorcycle rider doing firing in multan so in karachi double passenger at motorcycle in karachi shall be not allowed what is this this is not fare do some thing for terrorism but dont forget your brothers which are living abroad do some thing for terrorism but which is right way skype,whatsapp,viber block in sindh pakistan it is not a right way for example after three months if terrorism is not under control so what you do then - This is my question to the government of Pakistan.
A lot of kids in US and Canada etc. learn the recitation of Quarn over skype. Both the students and their teachers will needlessly suffer due to this stupid ban.
i like gorment. gorment good. sindh gorment best. pakastan zindabad!
@Sigh: Govt is considering ban oxygen so dehshatgard will suffocate to death.
Well Next step will be Ban on internet, you cannot access email and anything as Terrorist are using Email for communication.
So Pathetic and un professional people.
Crimnals use phones, cars and etc. Lets ban them all
Probably its time for the pigeons in the country to arrange a bullet proof vest for themselves. After everything banned it will be the old style of communications.
This is the failure of our security forces. This is not the solution of terrorism. This kind of act spoil the hope of Pakistani people.We are deeply in thinking that our country is not in good hands because they don't have appropriate solutions of the current problems, they are increasing the problems of people rather than reduce the main threads and issues.
Double Riding on bike banned, Youtube banned, Skype , Viber etc Banned, No Electricity , No GAS , No Water , No Security , Nothing else... We all have many kind of things to share. But remember do anger or complaint but in a manner. We are the people of Pakistan and Pakistan Zindabad
Almighty Allah bless us.
Ameen
Totally rubbish and childish act by sindh governmnt.we shoud raise our voce against it.how can govt snatch our freedom.we wont accept it at any cost.this is a foolish act
Great Step ......Thumps Up
Now Terrorist also take Oxygen ...So when you are going to Block for whole nation..?
@Jaqen H'ghar: I have my sympathies with you friend ! But I am sure people conducting your interview will also read this news and understand your issue.
Derp,They should close it if it helps the community and stop the attacks, bombings ect. if it doesnt help most people will start to hate pakistan and where they live.
Rest of the world is progressing in technology but pakistan chooses to experience stone age era! Jiye pakistan! ^_^
The D.G.Rangers most ill-informed person,before he lied in s.c 19000 USA containers with weapons was missing and ex-minister of port and shipping was involved..and now regarding use of internet application,
Is it time to ban internet and TV in pakistan ! Horrible
One question from Sindh Govt.: Why do you think that banned groups cannot use non-famous VoIP/Chat softwares for their communication? Due to this ban, only common people will suffer. Please stop creating more trouble in the life of public via unjustified logics.
How about ordering by military to shooting any civilian carrying guns I heard it really cleaned Karachi during Musharraf times. this way you can get rid of all the low life altogether.
@Ovais: How about Ban bribery, and you may get better result.
@Fawad: Why don't you move to China you idiot !!!
We are a Pakistani Based IT Company in US, and have a call center in Karachi with Employee who earn their livelihood by remotely supporting Customer based outside Pakistan. There is so many challenges doing business with our own people now with improper infrastructure, shortage of electricity an now this Idiot Govt. wants to ban Skype, Viper Etc. If they are really serious about getting rid of terrorist than why not banned bribery for three months instead. That will definitely get rid of most of the terrorists and also get rid of people working against the interest of the country. This movement again showed why rich will always get richer and middle class from becoming poor because Govt. only Tax poor people. Case in Point. When I was visiting Karachi, I saw Land cruiser running breaking the law in front of the police, while they are ticketing (challan) to people in motor bike. No wonder even Allah is not happy with this country and that's why we have so many natural disasters like earthquake etc. People take control and get rid of all the cronies running our beloved country and get someone who is not their to get rich overnight and gangbang our nation.
@Hashim Zuberi: Are you a complete idiot or you are as stupid as your Govt. People are actually earning their living communicating Via Skype to the outside world ,and not just chatting like idiots So try to think before making a retarded comment like that.
@Jaguar: Its amazing, Why don't government Ban Taking bribery for three month maybe we will be get rid of Terrorist altogether..
This is ridiculous. I'm out of the country and I use Skype, WhatsApp etc to stay in touch with my friends and family in Karachi.
I would suggest we ban milk instead so we can stop criminals children from growing.
Blocking such things is pointless. They'll just find another way. Have they ever really not been able to? If you don't block them and monitor them you're better off. Same goes for cell phones.
I can see 422 votes in favor of the ban ! Come on people get a life !
Oovoo! Google Hangout! Google talk! Rebtel! For every app they ban, another will prop up....its pointless....
Ban Oxygen too, maybe?
This isn't a way to stop accused and give them foil. Government should have to give more facilities to nation not either are taking the facilities. Accused have more easy way to take step as accused are planing for any task.Why people are accountable for that cause?
Trust me, in 518 years, Pakistan will be #1 world superpower. Nobody can beat us at anything, in 518 years.
@Ali Thar:
The government needs to take actions on themselves not on the citizens. Like that's ever going to happen.
Zardari likes the smell of 3G license.
Pakistani Government can't make any better decisions then this. This is the most stupidest decision yet so far that they have taken,
@citizen:
Sirr laugh all you want but make no mistake this isn't Naya Pakistan. Kindly refrain from creating confusion, coz the ONLY Naya Pakistan is IK's.
Enjoy Purana pakistan and you may laugh as much as you want.
ok, we'll just use gmail voice chat then, or something like that
Since the day Sharjeel Memon was heckled by the public in Karachi he is like taking revenge from all Karchites, This man was imported from London, I donot know how the British government were unable to instill the sense of freedom unto him for so long. Till he is here, everything will go upside down.
Learn from China govt. has blocked Facebook, IM, Video and even youtube. We are not the only nation on planet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofwebsitesblockedin_China
The entire government should be banned for 3 months or forever
A dacoit way of Bhatta khori by promoting cell phone use and netting withholding tax profits by the government
From Rehman Malik's Time all PPP can do it BAN.
WILL SOMEBODY BAN PPP
I am sure the advice must have come from our Great ex-president! This is what is expected from a dumb , primitive minded leadership. They are still living in stone age, has no appreciation for the technology. Good Luck Pakistan!
Hey let's ban the internet the terrorist will die in three months yipee
Many people use skype for job interviews , meetings . it is so ridiculous to ban this It seems that , tomorrow they will ban cars , and motorcycles and roads because they are used by terrorist
govt of Sindhis motto: why catch them if we can dance in front of them to keep them occupied
Sind govt please do your jobs , and not impose any more bans . They make you look ridiculous
This ban is all about 3G license... Zardari and Co. Is trying to bring license bid down to ground so that they can buy it cheap.
Have theu gone mad? Which nation shuts itself down in face of terror? Did americans stopped all concerts and cinemas and new year and chrismas celebrations? So many targets there. After 9/11, they did not sht anything down for long. We have already surrendered it seems if we cant stop the terrorists but can stop the normal people going about their lives. The real wish behind this seems to create animosity and resentment towards different sects and stop religious gatherings.
I believe they know eid is coming up.. they know they can generate good revenue from banning viber and skype so that overseas pakistanis are forced to buy minutes or use trunk calls or PTCL calling cards and all. This governement was a pain then and it is a pain now. This is a blow to overseas pakistanis who are already supporting the economy by injecting foreign reserves.
Viber is banned in UAE but still being used by many through proxies! Get a life you morons!
From the SUblime to the ridiculous . PPP outdo themselves in absurdity
Who are the freaks who approved of this?
This country is going to the DOGS.
Every day I try to find positive things about this mulk to try to not go insane with ghussa and bitterness and every few days the effing government gives us another reason to hate it more.
ARGGHHGHHGHGHGSJFKSBVSVF
wow, that's great! what can be more worse than this? First youtube, huge taxes on international calling and now ban on skype, whatsapp and viber! Yeah now I can say, "NAYA PAKISTAN!" Welcome to the ice age 5 Sindh Government! :)
Government should also ban the air present in the atmosphere. Terrorists are using this air to breath.
How will I talk to my girl now?
When terrorist were able to use Skype and viber wont they be able to use vpn and other means of communications. If they start using vpn none can ever track them. With such amateur in government, I d surprise if they ever get the hold of the unstablity in the country ever. You may cut a plant from a stem and it will grow, remove the plant frok roots and it wont be able grow again until our illiterate and childish leadship plants it again.
did they make any progress? Tell me when they do.
I love how they so brilliantly call them terrorists here, but potential government partners over the negotiation table. Can this government be any more stupid?
@Crazy Canuck: plz,,dont compare India with pakistan!!!! humble request from Indian!!!,,,
Pakistani government cant control law n order using agencies but by closing all communication ways.
They are sending Pakistan in stone age time where they use to paper letter for communication.
Email is another prompt media for communication. It will be blocked pretty soon.
Everyone will see it.
Another example of silly & non sense governance by PPP , to fight terrorism instead of taking the freedom of terrorist they are taking the freedom away of ordinary civilians.
From all over Pakistan they are now barred to Sindh province only > hope to see them barred to Larkana in the next elections later to vanish completely from the political scene of Pakistan.
A weapons ban would be more useful
Dont use Viber, Viber is also #Israeli App & #Israel is enemy of Pakistan. Public service message by Information Minister Sindh :) :)
Dont user Viber Because Viber is also Israeli App & Israel is enemy of Pakistan. Public service message by Information Minister Sindh :) :)
Guess next govt move.... Move out of Karachi...no people no crime!
the decision is insanely stupid ban these services, if they know that terrorists are using these services then why they are unable to track them out ? and is govt is giving guarantee that no death will happen in future after this worthless decision ?
OMG !!!!! look who added me on skype its : TTP.Pakistan.Chapter , HUH:/
Reminiscence of Rehman Malik. Hahahhahaha also just to make it clear there must be at least another 200 different misting services available
Lets ban everything that terrorist use... including Cars... electricity... water...
All steps should be taken for the safety & security of Karachi..and there should be zero compromise on anyone even he/she is the member of any political party..
Good decision...
Why don't they focus on holding local body elections instead of doing this drama!
They think this will help them to maintain peace but they forgot terrorist even have sattelite phones .... which unfortunately they cannot control!!!
PPP is doing it only in sindh or Karachi also?
Why not ban water, electricity, petrol, CNG etc, since 'terrorists are using them' too??
Joke. This country has fast turned into the worst kind of joke.
Ban weapon licenses
What are u guys smoking sitting at the top? I have to appear for my UK student visa Skype interview. This is War.