Minister unblocks Stanford website, promises better mechanism

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker IT and Telecom Minister Umar Saif unblocked Stanford’s website after a Twitter user drew attention to the blockage.

“Sir not blocked anymore. Sorry about this! Given that I had to intervene, we surely need better mechanisms for this. Thank you for pointing it out,” wrote Saif.

Sir not blocked anymore. Sorry about this! Give that I had to intervene, we surely need better mechanisms for this. Thank you for pointing it out. https://t.co/BP85CrgvNh

— Umar Saif (@umarsaif) September 9, 2023

While some people praised the minister’s swift response, others highlighted other concerns that needed his attention.

Can't access Indian law websites, educational or any or most websites and apps as well. Is it by us or them? Can you so something about it?

— Armed Civilian Population🔻🔻🔻 (@SeditiousHeart) September 9, 2023

Are you planning on reducing PTA tax on smartphones to increase their affordability? What sense does it make for a 50k used phone to have 60-70k in taxes?

— Ammar (@pixelated666) September 9, 2023

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has faced recurrent criticism for its practice of blocking websites within the country. Some of the most notable websites that were banned by the PTA in Pakistan include YouTube and Wikipedia. Notably, YouTube remained blocked by the PTA from 2012 to 2016.