Pakistan decides to contact Facebook over Kashmir posts' censorship
Posts on the violence in Kashmir were deleted by the Silicon Valley giant.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk / AFP) – Pakistan has decided to contact Facebook administration to discuss the issue regarding censorship on posts highlighting the Indian forces’ brutality on innocent people of occupied Kashmir, Dunya News reported.
During weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Nasfees Zakaria stated that Pakistan will present its reservations on the matter.
Academics and activists have accused Facebook of censoring posts about Indian-held Kashmir as a curfew in the region extended into its 21st day following unrest that has left more than 50 protesters dead.
Facebook users posting on the violence in Kashmir in Britain, the US, India and Pakistan told AFP their posts had been removed or their profiles permanently deleted by the Silicon Valley giant citing "violation of community standards".
Even, Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi’s personal account was suspended for three days over a post praising Burhan Wani.
According to Facebook data, India ranks second only to the US for the number of requests for user data and content restriction made every year to the company.
Residents of occupied Kashmir have regularly complained of Facebook removing their posts since 2010 when large protests roiled the territory.
Wide-scale protests against Indian rule have flared across the Muslim-majority territory since the killing on July 8 of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in a firefight with the Indian forces.
Indian authorities have imposed a curfew, suspended mobile networks and internet in large parts of the territory and seized newspapers in a bid to quell protests.
Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria today also expressed concern over the arrests of Hurriyet leaders and demanded their early release.
The Spokesman condemned Indian atrocities on Kashmiris and urged New Delhi to hold impartial plebiscite in Occupied Kashmir under UN supervision.
He said Pakistan is raising the Kashmir issue at every international fora.
To a question, he said Indian Home Minister will visit Pakistan to participate in the SAARC Ministerial level conference.
