Pakistan restores Twitter after weekend blockage

Pakistan has restored access to Twitter in the country after blocking it over the weekend, saying that it would turn to Interpol for help with screening sensitive content.

Somewhat ironically, the country’s interior minister took to the social network to explain that the government had chosen to shut it down because of “un Islamic” content, adding that the country’s government had tried contacting Twitter, but that it had not been of any assistance.

The series of tweets started out with an assurance that social media would not be blocked in Pakistan:

Dear all, I assure u that Twitter and FB will continue in our countryand it will not be blocked. Pl do not believe in rumors.

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 19, 2012

Why some people are generating such baseless rumors.?Do they want to push back to stone age.I agree with Dr. Asharf Chohan.

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 19, 2012

Mr.Salman masood why shd I even think of doing so?I shd not expect from a sen reporter of NY times to believe such r

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 19, 2012

It is highly sensitive issue andthose who are making such un Islamic material which is hurting the feelings of Muslims

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 20, 2012

Dear All yes I spoke to PM and informed how people are feeling about it.PM ordered to reopen the twitter.I also spoke to Raja pervez abt it

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 20, 2012

Dear All yes I spoke to PM and informed how people are feeling about it.PM ordered to reopen the twitter.I also spoke to Raja pervez abt it

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 20, 2012

As committed twitter has been unblocked but I request to stop anti Islam material on twitter which hurts Muslim Ummaha.It nflicts feelings.

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 20, 2012

It was all of a sudden by ITministry after witnessing anti Islamic material was not consulted on it however I hv played my role to restore

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 20, 2012

Anti Islamic material/tweets hurt Muslim Umaha.I advise such fellows to pl respect our faith.let us promote inter faith for peaceful world

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 20, 2012

Request all members to retweet “condemn all those who generate anti islamic tweets”I request for retweeting to friends of all other faiths.

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 20, 2012

Matter was taken up with the magt of twitter but was declined.Notice is now being served to twitter through Interpol to block such material

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 20, 2012

I will go tosleep now thanking my critics and I pray may God guide them and show the right path to learn the right way to respect others.

— Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) May 20, 2012

Judging by the number of tweets he sends out and the 35 000 or so followers he has, it’s doubtful that Malik would want to see the social network banned in his country.

The specific cause of the offense was a competition urging people to draw a picture of Mohammed, something which goes against Islamic doctrine. Pakistan does have a history of blocking sites that it considers to be blasphemous, anti-Islamic, or threatening to internal security. It’s also blocked access to sites critical of the government or the military.