Pakistan has blocked access to Wikipedia for 48 hours because the website refused to remove blasphemous posts as requested by the government.
In a statement released by PTO on Wednesday, PTA claimed that Wikipedia services in Pakistan were degraded because “sacrilegious content” was not blocked or removed.
“Wikipedia was approached for blocking/removal of the said contents by issuing a notice under applicable law & court order(s).
An opportunity for hearing was also provided, however, the platform neither complied by removing the blasphemous content nor appeared before the authority,” Given the intentional failure on part of the platform to comply with the directions of PTA, the statement said, the services of Wikipedia have been degraded for 48 hours with the direction to block/remove the reported contents.
PTA warned that in case of non-compliance by Wikipedia, the platform will be blocked within Pakistan.
“The restoration of the services of Wikipedia will be reconsidered subject to blocking/removal of the reported unlawful contents. PTA is committed to ensuring a safe online experience for all Pakistani citizens according to local laws,” it further said.
This is not the first time the authority has taken notice of objectionable content on Wikipedia. In December 2020, PTA issued notices to Google and Wikipedia on account of disseminating sacrilegious content through the platforms.
PTA said it has been receiving complaints regarding misleading search results associated with “Present Khalifa of Islam” and an unauthentic version of the Holy Quran on Google Play Store.
