Islamabad : Major social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter were allegedly blocked in Pakistan after a police crackdown on protesters turned violent.
According to the Express Tribune, scores of people complained about inaccessibility to YouTube, Facebook and Twitter across the country as clashes between police and protesters intensified.
Earlier today, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) warned that it would prevent live coverage of the Faizabad sit-in during a police crackdown on protesters.
Following the PEMRA order, there was a media blackout in Islamabad, where almost all leading private TV channels went off air.
“It is informed that under the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015, live coverage of any security operation is prohibited,” the PEMRA said in a written statement.
“Therefore, all the satellite TV channel licensees are directed to exhibit utmost sensitivity on the matter and comply with Clause 8(8) of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015, in letter and spirit and refrain from live coverage of the ongoing operation at Faiz-e-abad, Islamabad,” it added.
PEMRA has also directed law enforcement agencies to make strict security arrangements for staff present in different media outlets across country.
As per the reports, one police officer has died after sustaining head injuries while dealing with the protesters in Islamabad. (ANI)