PTCL blocks over 1,800 lewd websites
KARACHI- The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) authorities have blocked more than 1,800 pornographic websites.
Over 60 per cent of an estimated one million internet users visit pornographic sites, said Zahir Mohammed Khan, a senior official of the PTCL. “We launched a campaign to block such web sites in February and, so far, have identified and blocked 1,800 of them,” he said. “But it’s a difficult task as such sites are in millions.”
He said that the PTCL was also identifying anti-Islamic and blasphemous sites. “They too are being blocked,” he said, without giving any further details. Internet service providers (ISPs) say that a majority of those accessing such sites are youngsters while the middle-aged people are also said to be regular visitors. Hundreds of internet cafes have sprung up in the metropolis during the last five years.
He said that rest of the pornographic websites would soon be blocked. Zahir said, “We are importing new software in the next couple of months which would block all such sites.”
The PTCL officials said that the blocking of sites had slowed down the system. “But it is temporary. Once the new software is installed, it would be back to normal. Every week we update the list of banned sites. We hope people will turn to other, informative sites because of the ban,” he said and added, “Our data shows that 25 to 30 per cent users are trying to visit the banned sites.”
He also admitted that PTCL could foresee a drop in internet users once the ban was fully enforced. However, he gave no details of the estimated drop in revenues. “These pornographic sites are a big social evil. The government cannot fight it alone. We need help from the ISPs and parents to fight this menace,” he remarked.
Mairajul Huda, Jamaat-e-Islami leader, welcomed the ban. However, he said, “This ban is not enough. There is a need to reform the entire education system and the electronic media in line with our culture and religion so that our youngsters are not tempted with such evils.”
Source: Dawn
Date:4/6/2003
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