ISLAMABAD ( ABRAR MUSTAFA )
Government of Pakistan has effectively banned “Blackberry Enterprise Services” in the country. This is not the first time as four years ago, PTA moved against Blackberry services to block access to YouTube, Facebook , Twitter and other websites that hosted blasphemy allegedly.
Interior Ministry has directed PTA to block blackberry enterprise services in the country effectively from December 1st 2015. This ban will not affect Blackberry Internet Services or BIS which allows consumers of the Canadian handset manufacturers to use internet on their phones.
With this ban there are some key questions that need to be answered.
Considering this is not the first time that Blackberry enterprise services have been banned in the country, can PTA hold this ban continuously this time?
Blackberry faced a similar situation in India where due to its loss in court it allowed limited access to Indian authorities to decode data from Blackberry smartphones. Can
Pakistan Authorities take similar action and make Blackberry give them access to the data like in India?
Viber is known for its notorious reputation when it comes to security concerns. It should be stated here that it has been banned in United Kingdom along with UAE. With Government of Pakistan issuing strict orders to its employees not to use the app, it is still being used widely across the country. Why is it that it is being used freely and Blackberry Enterprise Services is being blocked only?
These questions need to be answered promptly. Pakistan needs to create a strong policy when it comes to digital communication and technology to ensure protection of its interests and denizens.
The move follows a similar attempt by the PTA almost four years ago in 2011 when it blocked BlackBerry services in Pakistan as part of its measures to block access to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other websites which allegedly hosted blasphemous material. BES was also suspended in the country for what it claimed were security reasons.
PTA has also sent letters to cellular operators directing the mobile phone companies to ensure that there is no BES connection active after November 30, 2015.