Telecoms regulators have issued a directive to mobile phone operators to drop the offers which allow users cheap calls during off-peak times as part of an effort to protect teenagers and prevent them spending hours on the phone to girlfriends or boyfriends every night.
It is the latest attempt by Pakistan to crack down on modern forms of communication amid a perception that the country’s conservative, Islamic values are under threat from a digital tide of filth.
Youtube remains blocked and Facebook has been subject to several temporary bans over blasphemous content.
Farooq Awan, chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), said the latest move had been taken to stop the proliferation of adverts that went against the “moral values of the society”, encouraging youngsters to make calls late at night.
“We have received a number of complaints from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Standing Committee of the Parliament, senators, [Members of the National Assembly] and subscribers regarding the promotion of vulgarity through such advertisements…” he said.
While some welcomed the directive as a way of preventing teenagers spending hours on the phone, others mocked the step suggesting the government was trying to ban the late-night booty call.
Sami Shah, a comedian, tweeted: “Sexting and Dirty talk just got a whole lot more expensive in Pakistan.”
Pakistan (which in Urdu means “land of the pure”) has expended great efforts to keep its population free from digital filth.
Earlier this year the PTA asked a 15-year-old computer whizz to compile a list of pornographic website after he wrote to the regulator complaining that he could still find page after page of sex sites despite an official ban.
Youtube remains blocked to prevent Pakistanis watching a trailer for the inflammatory “Innocence of Muslims” film which sparked riots in September.
Some attempts to censor everyday life have led to embarrassing climbdowns, including an effort to sanitise SMS services.
Last year, regulators compiled a list of more than 1000 apparently obscene words and phrases to be banned from text messages.
However, the plan was dropped amid widespread disbelief when it emerged the list included such words as “tampon”, “headlights” and even “Jesus Christ”.
Re: Regarding blocking of porn websites in Pakistan
there are weakened morals, double and ethical standards that are breached in pakistan. but i don't think any of those things don't not exist in the western countries.
western countries have a civilised way of being barbaric.
Re: Regarding blocking of porn websites in Pakistan
What makes me really really mad is the fact that they wont give special deals for day time use , to make the lives of people easier. Instead they give night time deals, almost like not giving a deal ! People use phones and mobiles during the day and evening .. who calls up someone at midnight? So the entire concept of this mobile deal was flawed.
Next, instead of focusing on improving their education and the job market and the general culture of the country, they are trying to put the blame on communications. This shows how out of control and clueless they are! this is no way to prevent the teenagers! Somebody really needs to kick the lawmakers and make them aware that there is a positive use of communication as well that they can teach in their schools and colleges !
Re: Regarding blocking of porn websites in Pakistan
What makes me really really mad is the fact that they wont give special deals for day time use , to make the lives of people easier. Instead they give night time deals, almost like not giving a deal ! People use phones and mobiles during the day and evening .. who calls up someone at midnight? So the entire concept of this mobile deal was flawed.
The concept isn't flawed at all. People need to make calls in the mornings so they'll pay money for it. They don't need to make calls at night, so they won't. What this means is that all the mobile towers and other communication equipment is just laying there not being utilized. The mobile companies are making no money at night, so they figure let's make the calls so cheap that people will start calling at night too, because some money is better than no money.
They're running a business, and anything they do is to increase their profits.
[QUOTE]
Next, instead of focusing on improving their education and the job market and the general culture of the country, they are trying to put the blame on communications. This shows how out of control and clueless they are! this is no way to prevent the teenagers! Somebody really needs to kick the lawmakers and make them aware that there is a positive use of communication as well that they can teach in their schools and colleges !
[/QUOTE]
I'll agree with this. What are the kids supposed to do? The education system isn't stimulating at all, the kids just study to get a good grade, learning new things is never a goal.
The kids need distractions, not restrictions. Make them do something productive. There are no parks, no community service programs, of course the kids get bored.
Re: Regarding blocking of porn websites in Pakistan
[quote="Shero"]
Porn is completely haram so it should be banned and if government has done something right we should appreciate it and also pressurize government to stop all other evils too/QUOTE
.
the government ministers all watch porn and have dozens of prostitutes.
Re: Regarding blocking of porn websites in Pakistan
Chalo choro ji. Those who really want to watch it, can find it despite the bans. There are new porn websites popping up online everyday. I bet you can access them without even using a proxy server, because if the government doesn't know about a site, it can't block it.
How did you get through unnoticed?