Islamabad Social media platforms have been banned in Pakistan on Friday, with fears that activists of the radical Islamist group may stage violent protests against the issue of publishing pictures of the Prophet in France last year. Proponents of Tehreek-e-Labbak, a group supporting Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws, blocked roads in the midst of deadly protests that began on Monday, the DPA news agency reported.
They demand that the government fulfill its earlier promise to expel the French ambassador by April 20 on the issue of publication of cartoons depicting the prophet last year.
At least five people, including two police officers, have died in these protests taking place in the country. In view of the atmosphere of violence, the French Embassy in Islamabad has been asked to appeal to the French citizens to temporarily leave Pakistan.
“The social media has been blocked for a few hours so that the protesters can not create any ruckus during the prayers,” an official told the DPA.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and TickTock have services blocked across the country, including the capital Islamabad.
Indeed, political parties, Islamic groups and terrorist organizations such as the Taliban rely heavily on social media platforms to engage with their followers.
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