Major social media platforms, Facebook and Twitter have been shut down on Saturday in major areas of Pakistan, according to reports. It is being said that the decision has been taken as the Tehreek-e- Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) is using the platforms to incite hatred in the aftermath of the Faizabad operation, that is currently underway in the capital.
A statement issued later on Saturday by PEMRA stated TV channels to show sensitivity regarding the matter and stop live coverage of the operation. Major news channels have been taken off air in this regard.
Earlier, a video by TLYR chief Khadim Hussain, was making rounds on social media that reportedly triggered the Facebook shut down, due to the alleged hate speech that it contained.
With over 2.5 lac views and fiery comments underneath, it is evident that the video did manage to get the desired effect. Following are some of the comments on the said video:
A policeman was martyred during clashes with protesters, in Islamabad on Saturday as the security forces fired rubber bullets, and lobbed tear gas, at protesters who have virtually paralysed the country’s capital for weeks to disperse them from Faizabad Interchange.
The roughly 8,500, elite police, and paramilitary troops in riot gear began clearing the 2,000 or so demonstrators soon after dawn, with nearby roads and markets closed.
The sit-in by the Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan has blocked the main highway used by thousands of commuters since November 6, causing hours-long traffic snarls and enraging commuters.
The protesters are demanding that Law Minister Zahid Hamid resign over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath that election candidates must swear.
Demonstrators have linked it to blasphemy and claim the oath was softened to enable the participation of Ahmedis, a long-persecuted minority sect.
In the aftermath of the crackdown, protesters have also started gathering at key points across the country including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Azad Kashmir, Tando Allahyar, Jacobabad, Chakwal, Sabrial, Faisalabad and Gujranwala.
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