Islamabad: YouTube service in parts of country reportedly faced disruptions during speech of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, whose live addresses were banned on TV channels previous night by electronic media regulator.

Disruptions were reported as Imran addressed a party rally in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh a day after he delivered a controversial speech in capital and was subsequently booked. NetBlocks, an organisation that tracks internet outages, confirmed development. “Real-time network data show disruption in effect on some but not all mobile and fixed-line internet providers in Pakistan during live-streamed speech.

Access was restored after speech concluded. Study is taken from a sample size of 100 measurements from 14 vantage points across Pakistan,” it said in a report. Digital rights advocate Usama Khilji lambasted disruptions and dubbed it “outrageous arbitrary censorship”, calling on government and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to provide an explanation. “No law allows political censorship of online platforms.”

Islamabad: YouTube service in parts of country reportedly faced disruptions during speech of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, whose live addresses were banned on TV channels previous night by electronic media regulator.

Disruptions were reported as Imran addressed a party rally in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh a day after he delivered a controversial speech in capital and was subsequently booked. NetBlocks, an organisation that tracks internet outages, confirmed development. “Real-time network data show disruption in effect on some but not all mobile and fixed-line internet providers in Pakistan during live-streamed speech.

Access was restored after speech concluded. Study is taken from a sample size of 100 measurements from 14 vantage points across Pakistan,” it said in a report. Digital rights advocate Usama Khilji lambasted disruptions and dubbed it “outrageous arbitrary censorship”, calling on government and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to provide an explanation. “No law allows political censorship of online platforms.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 22 2022

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