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KARACHI - The Sindh government has decided to ban
instant messaging and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications
such as Skype, Whatsapp, Tango and Viber for three months.
The decision was taken in a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Chief
Minister Qaim Ali Shah called to review the law and order.
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Following the meeting, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon
announced that a ban would be imposed on Skype, Whatspp, Tango and Viber.
“Terrorists and criminal elements are using these networks to
communicate after the targeted operation was launched,” Memon said,
adding that the home secretary would contact the PTA to have these
networks banned in the province.
According to the provincial information minister, the Sindh government
would also contact the federal government to ensure that illegal SIMs to
be blocked.
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Memon added that the brandishing of weapons had also been banned and an
operation would be conducted against individuals in possession of
illegal weapons.
He said targeted operation in Karachi was not against any particular
party but aimed at eliminating criminals. “No one will be allowed to go
house to house to collect hides of sacrificial animals during Eidul Azha,”
he said, adding that people were free to donate animal hides to anyone
they wanted.
This is not the first time communication services have been blocked in
the name of security. A number of temporary cellular service blocks were
implemented in 2013 by the government as an anti-terrorism measure.
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