Pakistan has blocked its social media platform on Friday, over fears that activists of a radical Islamist group would use the technology to incite violent demonstrations against a portrayal of Prophet Muhammad in France last year.
Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) supporters, who back the country’s notorious blasphemy laws, have blocked roads and choked streets in deadly protests that began on Monday.
The protesters demanded that the government honour an earlier pledge to evict the French ambassador by April 20 in response to last year’s publishing of a cartoon portraying the prophet.
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At least five people have been killed in the demonstrations, including two police officers, prompting the French embassy in Islamabad to advise French nationals to leave Pakistan temporarily.
“Social media has been banned for a few hours so that troublemakers cannot use it during Friday prayers,” an official told DPA.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok are all unavailable in the country, including the capital of Islamabad.
Political parties, Islamist factions, and militant organizations, such as the Pakistani Taliban, rely heavily on social media platforms to communicate with their supporters.
