Decision taken for security reasons during meeting with Sindh CM. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to ban instant messaging and voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) clients Skype, Viber and other communication networks, possibly including Tango and WhatsApp, for three months in the province for security reasons, Express News reported on Thursday.
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)
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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.
Tipical PPP way of governance . . . .
I really don't see how blocking YouTube has helped us in the past few years. For us students, it has actually become difficult to understand certain topics via tutorials. Plus, due to this, most of us use VPNs and proxies to access the website. That has led people to access porn websites as a result which is worse a problem than the one that was faced earlier. Likewise, banning Skype and Viber will only disrupt the communication between the common man. There are other alternatives as well to such social media which could also facilitate "terrorist" activity, so banning a couple of social media applications would not prevent such activity. This issue should be looked upon in great depth before any such decision is made.
The govt people are so against love, they think they can stop us from talking us from talking to our bachis!
hahahahhahaha!!!! i can see the new Pakistan! LMAO :p
Has this man, Sharjeel Memon, ghone nuts?
Pakistan ZindaBhaaaag !
Pakistan ZindaBhaaaaag !!
the best thing will be to put Sindh province under total curfew ...for 3 months
A Show of a absolute incompetent government of Pakistan. Someone answer this... What will happen after 3 months ? Terrorism will be wiped out, vanish ?
The terrorist have used toothpastes, soaps, shampoo's, motorcycles, laptops etc and most of them were wearing shalwar kamiz, so going by the logic the geniuses sitting in the Sindh government should ban all of these also.
We need to protest... Who's with me? This is a pathetic move on the govt's part. Sick of these morons.
While the move is pretty stupid and useless, the comments here are even dumber. People are reacting as if their lives are over.
Just chat on a different client like Yahoo or FB Chat - Skype isn't the end of the world.
@Arslan Jutt, Please don't talk about Sindhi and Punjabi this fire will soon come to your door step one day, be Pakistani we are brothers, because of people like you they are doing whatever they want, be united and Please don't use this Sindhi Punjabi thing.
This Govt. is a joke.
They can only stop double sawari, ban youtub, skype etc but can not bring peace in the country.
What a shame.
Oh the incompetence!
Stone age .. here we come !
Quit pussyfooting and just ban the internet. While they're at it, please ban all cable TV and newspapers. Looks like the TTP is winning. And then we wonder why Pakistan is so far behind India and Bangladesh in every single social aspect.
Dear Folks, let not criticize this decision. We are in mess let the govt handle these crisis.
RIP sindhi's..proud to be punjabi
They can try.. but due to the presence of countless Proxy Servers and services like HotSpot, they can't accomplish this... may be for naive users, for whom Youtube is still blocked... Muahahahahahah Muhaaaa (Dr. Evil Laugh)... :)
This is not about the terrorists, is it, more so about the money these dumb telecom companies are losing out on.
The government is this close to pushing people against the wall. You try to restrict freedom, you end up with revolt.
The people who approved in the above mentioned vote dont actually use skype and viber.
Who are these 27 people who approved of this :S
What rubbish is this. I request Chief Justice and Federal Government to take notice of this childish act of the already failed Sindh Government and Sindh establishment. I strongly condemned this foolish act.
welcome to the "free" world. why don't we just shut down the internet itself. after all we don't need it.
Might as well shut down the internet altogether once and for all.
BAN ALL communications tools - BUT F DONT BOTHER BANNING WEAPONS in KARACHI*
Why not Governement disconnect all the PTCL landlines, shut down celleluar phone service, put off the hook internet connection in addition to banning Skype and Viber?
What about WhatsApp?
The Youtube is already banned.
The only thing on which imposition of restriction is left is on "air" through which waves people are also able to communicate messages to each other.
I am thinking that I have again started living in the stone age.
Great Move ! Why don't you shut down whole internet service, you morons !!!
Wow vote of the Parties 1. Who cannot censor the YouTube like China etc (Block it entirely that's easy) 2. Who cannot Solve terrorism in Karachi the Hotbed of Terror but ban Viber what a Joke.. 3. Who cannot censor dirty comments on Web sites which disturbs but Skype would be blocked 4. They cannot nab the Terrorists but Tango ban is Easy. On the Otherside they are giving laptops to watch pornos and facebook traps & Rape-rate goes up. But they think everyone who receives laptop they become software programmer.
From US to India all are comparing us with Somalia on all the aspects of life and still we think we are great. Instead of doing something tangible we are doing TV shows everyday. When they are in Politics they Lie and when they are out of Politics they become super clean.
What a Joke.
Gov should just put this on birth certificates: Congratulations, you are citizen of Pakistan. YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS! MOR KAY LAY LO!
So you are saying that terrorists are using Skype, Whatsapp and Viber for communication. Khuda ko mano yaar idher logo k business Skype per chal rahay hain.
RIDICULOUS!!!
I was expecting that long time ago when Pakistan imposed heavy fees on foreign calls...to the tune of 10%. Now the VoIP co's suddenly become it's competition. Pak was taking heavy losses. People started to use those internet based free services. To them it was "dushman ki chaal"! So now PakTel is back in business. Covering their losses while they can! Now that Pak is at the bottom, why not make money from that too, lol!
"Huye tum dost jis ke, dushman us ka aasman kyon ho"
Kabhi apni Government pe bhi Ban laga den !
"Pakistan follows in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia, where Viber is banned."
Why our govt do not follow any positive/productive step of others !!!!
This is to stop innocent people from projecting the atrocities they might face when the operation is steered specifically against the party that has the elected & moral mandate to rule and administer Karachi but has not been given the chance to do so (except during the Golden Era of Karachi under The Legend Mayor Mustafa Kamal).
Please raise your voice to support freedom of information exchange & against this violation of a basic human right
Have they gone mad or what... already pakistan is so down in the world and this news will further throw them in abyss... Really idiotic decision from the govt. this is just senseless when these people (or their advisors) should know that there are always alternative means available so this is just nonsense from PPP govt. they were useless before in Youtube case and now skype and viber.. ridiculous
Oh Man
I don't think so this could be effective way of control. There are many networks by which users can send instant messages & video chat. So how would Govt will stop them by other sites. Dear CM Sindh, Please start hire smart people instead of conducting meeting with Dumb people who don't how technology works. Thanks
This is hopeless! Just a matter of time before they decide to ban the entire internet as well! What will become of our country...
Bhains kee tang. Meri bachi se kaise baat hogee ab? >O
ROFL!!! XD
I get my daily dose of laugh from Tribune. Our politicians never disappoint!
Criminals listen to phone lines. Talk about money on phone and you will have a dacoity soon.
Oh bhai. Aisay nai chalay ga. Dharna.
i think they are giving the people (and terrorists) too much leverage. I'd reckon they should shut down the province entirely for 3 months and save themselves the luxury of arresting criminals.
Welcome to stone age era, Missing Rehman Malik here.
If it stops a single death in karachi then yes its worth it , grow up ET.
On a lighter note , Altaf bhai is now in for a very big international call bill :p
this is pathetic of Sindh govt, It was PPP's govt who increased International incoming call charges which led people to opt for free apps. This shows that govts are so desperate to cash in on anything they can get their hands on to. disgraceful!
Cant stop laughing over this Government... JIYE NAYA PAKISTAN !!
How convenient that Eid is coming up, and out of nowhere! they shutdown the internet calling networks.