Twitter continues to comply with Pak requests; blocks ‘blasphemous’ sites

Micro-blogging website Twitter has blocked supposedly ''blasphemous'' tweets five times at the request of Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA); and all five requests were accepted by Twitter.

Twitter users in Pakistan can no longer see the content that PTA found disturbing - crude drawings of revered personages and photographs of burning copies of the Quran.

A report in The New York Times said the Twitter's compliance with the PTA's requests comes at a time when Pakistan is already confronted with multiple censorship challenges.

At the same time, discussion on the country's blasphemy laws has also become increasingly precarious, with the targeting of secularists.

The ban had sparked anger among many in Pakistan; while others have quietly found a way to circumvent the restrictions and Tweet regardless.

In Pakistan as in neighbouring India, Twitter is used by prominent public figures such as celebrities, cricketers, cabinet ministers and members of parliament.