Wikipedia has been blocked by Pakistani authorities for “hurting Muslim sentiment.” Since Wikipedia did not take down allegedly blasphemous content from the site, Pakistan’s media watchdog moved in blocked Wikipedia services there.
Islamabad’s conduct was condemned by some as being detrimental to digital rights. Anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or its figures could receive the death penalty under Pakistan’s contentious blasphemy laws, however, the country has not yet executed anyone for blasphemy.
However, mere accusations of the crime are frequently enough to incite deadly attacks and mob violence.
Blasphemy accusations, according to domestic and international rights organizations, have frequently been used to frighten religious minorities and settle personal grudges.
According to a representative for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Wikipedia was blocked because a 48-hour deadline to delete the content was disregarded.
According to a regulator employee named Malahat Obaid, “Such things harm the sensibilities of Muslims.”
The restriction might be lifted if Wikipedia eliminates all anti-Islamic content, according to her, who said that Pakistani authorities and platform representatives are in talks.
The Wikimedia Foundation acknowledged the prohibition, stating: “We hope that the Pakistan government joins us in a commitment to knowledge as a human right and restores access to @Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects promptly so that the people of Pakistan can continue to receive and share knowledge with the world.”
Blocking the website is not the solution, according to Pakistani social media specialist Mohsin Raza Khan, who noted that it is simple to alter or modify Wikipedia content that Muslims find sacrilegious or objectionable.
He said: “Pakistan’s media regulator and other authorities should try to find some viable technical solution to such problems as blasphemous content is available everywhere.
“It is equal to a drop in the ocean of knowledge.”
Read also: Russia threatens to fine Wikipedia if it doesn’t remove details about the war.
The Wikipedia ban, according to the Lahore-based Digital Rights Foundation, is an insult to Pakistanis’ freedom to access knowledge and makes a mockery of the nation’s commitment to upholding its human rights duties.
A few years ago, Pakistan has temporarily banned TikTok twice for allegedly posting “immoral, filthy, and profane” content.
But after TikTok promised Pakistan that it will delete immoral content and restrict users who submit “illegal stuff,” the ban was eventually lifted.
