While the decision seems to have been taken for security reasons, the Twitteratis questioned if the ban on communication services was taking things a bit too far.
Then it was YouTube, now it will be rest of the Social Media. This won't work unless you completely shut down the internet all over Pakistan
— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) October 3, 2013
Viber, whatsapp and tango banned in Pakistan for three months. Congratulation Pakistan this is the democracy we wanted so badly.
— Mustafa Zahid (@Mustafology) October 3, 2013
They can allow EhsanUllahEhsans n ShahidullahShahids 2 communicate media offices n journos via phones .won't allow poor ppl to use free aps.
— Nida F (@nidaFsameer) October 3, 2013
This proposition by Sindh government to ban WhatsApp, Viber and Skype takes the theatre of the absurd to the next level.
— Maria Memon (@Maria_Memon) October 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/anthonypermal/status/385764860799090689
Small price to pay .. If we can cleanse Khi from criminals. Back to trunk calls, telegraph and chitthi for 3 months! :D
— Dr. Sharmila sahibah faruqui (Phd) s.i (@sharmilafaruqi) October 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/FawadKhalid/status/385759456086077440
Sindh govt.only govt which has imposed Excise Duty on Broadband charges above 1500/month. Also only province trying to ban Skype #PPP Losers
— Mo Razak (@morazak) October 3, 2013
Dear Burgers, Sorry abt Skype/Viber/Whtsapp. Excuse us while we catch some terrorists and save some lives. SMS for 3months. Sincerely BBZ
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) October 3, 2013
Sindh govt needs to explain people on terrorists' communications before imposing blanket ban on cyber communications.
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) October 3, 2013
According to law it is the federal Govt which can ban what's up,sky and viberas provincial govt has got no authority to block such services.
— Senator Rehman Malik former Interior Minister Pak (@SenRehmanMalik) October 3, 2013
COMMENTS (28)
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hehehehe
Seems some minister or bureaucrat had a big payday! Nothing happens without a reason in our land of pure! Kill whole flock of birds with one stroke of pen. Way to boost private phone companies' revenue.
Hope they will also ban the whole internet !
7th century state need no internet.
Pakistan must actually ban the human brain. That would solve all the problems with a single stroke of the pen.
There is no doubt that notorious corrupt father of "We" is behind this decision. Big commission from mobile phone service providers at work now as only apparent purpose is to give advantage and monetary benefits to mobile phone companies. There is no way to stop communication between terrorist by blocking just 4 applications out of countless others.
@x: Spot on! To be part of 'we' he should atleast take the trouble to live in Karachi.
Bilawal.. please start by turning in daddy. You can join too! By doing so 'we' will certainly have caught two criminals to start with.
P.s nice attempt with the burger comment. Next time don't look in the mirror while tweeting, you always seem to address yourself.
Sincerely,
Sandwiches of Pakistan
@RK: yur losing the point here but a gud job noticing dat :P
Sharjeel memon and his team had to consult an IT Team before taking this fool step. Fool step because these 4 applications are not the only clients people use to contact each other. There are hundred or even thousand such app.why he forgot to mention YAHOO Messenger, MSN , google talk, nimbuzz, wechat, textme, facebook, gochat and a number of such applications. These all do the same job. Then why Sharjeel and his team mentioned only four such applications. Suppose if he ban all the clients, there is also thousand ways to imdirectly use these applications with help of proxy servers like VPN. The better suggestion to them is either totally ban internet facility and go back to post-box age or simply take back their decision. Otherwise its not going to work but surely going to create problems for the poor guys who use these applications.
Real intention to curb internet freedom in Pakistan.
Ironic how both phones shown in the picture doesnt support any of these softwares :p
I respect everyone's opinion but @PPP and @BBhuttoZardari if a random 'mobile wala' across your street can decode a moblile software; millions of ordinary Pakistani citizens can access to YouTube even though it's banned, can't the fully prepared terrorist organizations easily find an alternative to this?
zara socheya!Bilawal...what about Uzair Baloch your MNA..on wanted list still moving freely
Bilawal please tell us how many of these so called 'criminals' have YOU caught? And who is 'WE'?
As the movie said Zinda bhaag.
These internet warriors always continue to amaze me. When one would meet most of them, they will be quick to show their 70-80K mobile and brag about them "not worrying about money but the quality" However, their apps will be mostly freeware and when asked about the reason for using skype and viber, they will promptly reply "Yaar its free!". Muftaz now making hue and cry when they can simply use sms and calling, but wait! this would cost some money no? :P
@Technology News: Whats the business which only works on skype? why don't you switch-over to Google Hangout or better alternatives?
Rehman malik just trolled.that was my highlight of the day.
Haha @ Rehman Malik's tweet. He calls Whatsapp 'what's up' and Skype 'sky'. Unparh wazeer.
The state that never fails to amuse its own people (pun intended).
From the sublime to the ridiculous. What bird brained comments of the people in the provincial govt
@'The Pakistan Show' audience: because Mr billo uses it :P
Ask them to ban weapons and explosives.
Simple! ban twitter as well!
Loved Bilawal's tweet. How dare he mock the people and be sarcastic about 'while we catch criminals'. 'WE'? Would the good crown prince come to khi and live without his gadgets and parties for a few months? And actually become a part of 'we' to do something rather than tweeting from dubai. What a fool.
My small business work on skype if they close it what i will do. I need to purchase some proxy software for that. They want to finish us.
Damn it ET, 100s die each day. I hate that good for nothing PPP but whatever it takes , we should accept this if it saves a life atleast