K-P govt asks IGP to keep check on internet cafes

The home ministry had received reports of a rise in threatening emails prior to this request.


Web Desk October 05, 2013
Screengrab of internet cafe user browsing the internet.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa (K-P) government has ordered the collection of data from internet cafes in the province, Express News reported on Saturday.

The K-P home ministry wrote to the Inspector General Police (IGP) of K-P asking him to keep records of internet cafe users and recommended the installation of hidden security cameras in these cafes.

This was done after the home ministry received reports of a rise in threatening emails regarding extortion and kidnapping for ransom in the province.

Owners of the internet cafes said that they do not have the required resources to install security cameras. After receiving data of internet cafes from the home ministry, the Police began an investigation into their activities.

On October 3, the Sindh government had 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.

Internet freedom groups and activists  expressed anger and disbelief at the Sindh government’s proposal.

COMMENTS (14)

MAD | 10 years ago | Reply

many cafes were shut down in Karachi in the past as they were being used for such activities. I remember some serious security issues in the past.

Babar | 10 years ago | Reply @Muhammad Saim: The society has lost its reasoning and common sense. To persecute a small minority peaceful community appears to be acceptable but useage of internet where personal privacy may be required dictates the use of security cameras. This is one of the many reasons things are so scewed up in our country. In the name of Islam people can murder, persecute and blackmail!!!! Eventually something like whathas happened in Egypt may happen here too. How lnong will these fanatics misuse Islam?
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