Ban on YouTube will be lifted in 15-20 days: PTA
The ban imposed on largest video sharing site YouTube in the wake of the blasphemous movie “Innocence of Muslims”, could be lifted in a few days, a private media channel reported.
According to the source, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is again in talks with internet giant Google to block the anti-Islamic content, with an intent to unblock the site.
The chairperson of PTA Farooq Awan told the source that “PTA hopes to unblock YouTube in two to three weeks.”
Interior Minister Rehman Malik had earlier tipped-off that the YouTube could be reopened, but only after Google which own the video sharing site blocks the blasphemous content.
On Sept. 17, Pakistan Telecommunication authority blocked the YouTube to keep access to the insulting film, which sparked unrest in many Muslim states, in check.
PTA requested Google to block the access to “offensive” content in Pakistan as it in Libya, Egypt, Indonesia, and many other countries, but it refused stating that they didn’t have localized services in Pakistan, which would allow location based blocking.
Mr. Awan also that from next month, only five SIMs could be issued on an individual’s CNIC and SIMs would be issued only from the franchise of respective mobile companies.
Moreover, he also told that the auction to sell 3G mobile telecom licenses would be held in the beginning of next year.