YouTube Ban is a National Security Issue!
By Zaheerul Hassan
Don’t let them bully you Ms Anusha Rehman Khan
Once again, I felt my self compelled to write on the issue which is being deliberately used for confusing our “SAADA AWAM” by misquoting the facts so here goes my pen (Oops Keyboard) again for putting the facts straight.
The justified ban on YouTube is not a domestic but a national security as well as financial issue. I am not against cartoons, songs and research material available on YouTube, but do has concerns over the blasphemy videos against our beloved Prophet SAWW, the videos of beheadings of our soldiers who are fighting for the Nation, the videos promoting sectarian violence , clips of pornography spoiling minds set of youth. Unfortunately, many so called enlightened elite and champions of freedom of speech are actually advocating the opening of YouTube.
To some it may seem very important to unblock YouTube since they are no more able to listen to Lata, Pink, Metallica and other singers, but for some it matters a lot as the life / properties of many are at stake, our cultural / social values and the future of our next generation which is being bombarded with Western and Indian influence is at stake.
I feel the urge (as if I would suffer, if I kept quite) to convey it to the always elegant and decent Ms Anusha Rehman Khan, Minister for Information Technology (IT &Telecom Division) that please don’t let them pressurize you. They are working as a team trying to bring your nerves down by writing on the issue in newspapers and then projecting it on social / print media as a means of building pressure on you and your team. Besides, this decision wasn’t taken by you, it was taken by the PPP Prime Minister, Supreme Court, Inter Ministerial Committee and LEAs so if they target you, its already unfair.
It all started when one fine day an NGO i.e. BYTES FOR ALL, B4A (its apparent name) with the help of a infamous lawyer (forgot his name) filed a petition in the Lahore High Court for uplifting the ban on YouTube in the name of Human and Privacy rights. After studying the website of this NGO showing its activities across Pakistan, it seems to me that they have no regard for national security and there is something fishy about their people, sect, connections, and activities in Pakistan as well. B4A is partners with Privacy International, UK and Media Legal Defence Initiative, UK who seem to be the real string pullers behind efforts of opening YouTube but why?. It was also amazing to see that this NGO has also filed petitions against the Electronic Surveillance Capabilities of LEAs in Pakistan and are trying to bring this important Intelligence tool down (but why again?).
I kept thinking that if this Surveillance capability goes down who will benefit?. Terrorists and Enemy Espionage Agents???. Electronic plus Telecom Surveillance plays a vital role in nabbing these Terrorists / Agents who are funded by anti-state elements. If my logic is correct, then surely these small groups of sponsored sources are working against the interests of Pakistan and for appeasing Masters sitting outside! The funding of “B4A” and other similar NGOs “Bolo Bhi” working on same lines must be checked by LEAs.
The real facts and figures for banning the YouTube are again presented for the audience so that they get an idea about what I am talking about and what the other side of the story is. YouTube was banned after airing of a highly blasphemous porn movie titled “Innocence of Muslims” produced by an Israeli-American Movie Maker Sam Bacile reportedly using Jewish funding for mocking the beloved personality of our Holy Prophet SAWW, Umhaat ul Momineen RA, Sahaba e Karam RA and for defaming the foundations of Islam as a whole. The movie led to wide scale unrest in the World especially Muslim Ummah leading to killing of 04 Americans including US Ambassador in Libya on 11 Sept 2012. Cairo, Egypt, Libya, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and other Muslim countries demanded persecution of the movie maker and removal of this movie by Google but of no use since most of all types of media is controlled by the Jewish Media Mafia who do not have any respect for Muslim emotions and feelings.
LEAs, Ministry of Information Technology (IT & Telecom Division) and PTA took bold steps and setup a cell identifying the links of the movie for blocking but was of no use since the anti-Islam elements were uploading the movie again and again with new names and links so the blocking effort was not fruitful. The deliberate attempt by anti-Islam elements for promoting the movie was leading to more anger amongst the masses leading to loss of life / property across Pakistan and Muslim Ummah (actual goal of the funders).
Finally, on the recommendations of LEAs, Inter Ministerial Committee, Order of the then Prime Minister and due to the judgment given by Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Pakistan, YouTube was blocked on IP level on 17 Sept 2012 for putting an end to the issue since Google was not obeying instructions of Pak Govt and trying to bully its agenda on us which do not include having respect for beloved Prophet SAWW, Islam, National dignity and Social / Moral values which are exercised by proud nations. This was a matter of National Security of Pakistan and the decision wasn’t due to academic, educational or scientific concerns but purely for safeguarding our interests and life / property of our people.
Many other Muslim countries also took similar actions since Google and YouTube were not taking appropriate actions against the movie and its makers. YouTube is still banned in China, Iran, Pakistan and Turkmenistan. Germany has also blocked most parts of YouTube. Moreover, Afghanistan, USA, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Russia, Syria, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia and UAE had also previously put blanket bans on YouTube due to their non-cooperative attitude and for not obeying their govt orders which were taken for achieving national security. It is pertinent to mention that it is not the first time YouTube is being blocked in Pakistan so those who are making hue and cry should remain quite and silent. YouTube was also previously blocked in Feb, 2008 and May 2010 for not removing “Non-Islamic Objectionable Videos” and “Draw Mohammed Day” caricatures respectively. It seems it is old habit of Google allowing blasphemy on its mediums including YouTube.
For those who are unaware, it is crucial to mention that YouTube’s Terms of Service also prohibit the posting of videos which violate copyrights or depict pornography, illegal acts, gratuitous violence or hate speech as per “YouTube Community Guidelines” but still Google has allowed its platform to be used for anti-Islam and other subversive activities for achieving Zionist objectives. Shouldn’t the campaigners of “Unblock YouTube”, campaign against them as well??? Or are they promoting their agenda too???. As per YouTube Community Guidelines (Available on internet), there should be no need for PTA to remove blasphemous or porn material, YouTube should’vet took this step on their own. I strongly recommend that we should bring the matter to International Court of Justice’s notice too.
It is clearly evident now that the “YouTube ban” has turned into a war like situation where certain anti-Islam platforms / NGOs are trying to remove the ban while some are making efforts so that the ban should not be lifted until the justified demands of government of Pakistan are met which are in line with, Firstly, Blocking YouTube is a principled decision taken by the Govt of Pakistan. Blasphemy material should not be allowed by YouTube. All clippings of the movie “Innocence of Muslim” and “The innocent Prophet” (another blasphemous movie which was aired on YouTube later) should be removed from YouTube and emotions of Muslim Ummah must be respected.
Secondly, YouTube should register and pay taxes. FBR should take action against search engines / social media websites who are earning from Pakistan and not paying a single dime back. Thirdly, the operating agency should bow down to Pakistan govt requirements and sign agreements for legalizing their services. No illegal service should be allowed in Pakistan. Fourthly, favorable agreements should be signed with Google, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other Social Media Networking Sites which are inline with our national security requirements.
Fifthly, OIC should take up a case with UN for drafting a resolution not allowing any person to misuse the Holy Prophet SAWW’s name and make movies / caricatures on his beloved personality, Umhaat-ul-Momineen R.A, Khulfa-e-Rashideen R.A and Sahaba R.A. Necessary legislation as was done by Jews on “Laws related to denial of Holocaust” is the need of the hour with punitive actions against the culprit who does not adhere to these laws. UN should also pay their role in this regard or they can keep on sleeping when it comes to demands of Muslims.
Lastly, Pakistan based equivalent of YouTube should be developed for the public. Own versions of Search engines, Video sharing platforms and Networking sites like Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter etc should be developed which are owned by the state as was done by China. Besides, these tools are used for espionage by Zionists but we the “Masoom Musalmaan” don’t have a clue what they are doing to us. Instead, we are helping them in promoting their agendas.
Another important point is that YouTube along with Twitter and Facebook (Social Media Websites) are also used by Western powers for promoting own objectives as was done by them in Arab Spring by misquoting the facts and confusing the masses. The western agenda of “Free everything” will not work in Pakistan as we are a Muslim state and our Constitution guarantees provisions which do not allow anti-Islamic or subversive activities. Perhaps some of the NGOs should highlight these aspects as well. Will they do it? No …..
Last but not the least my question from those campaigning for Unblocking YouTube is that do they even know the dictionary meaning of National Security, Nation’s Dignity, Love for Prophet SAWW and Islam or are they simply dancing to the tune of Google. I admit some of you might not be able to view online lectures and educational material but come on lets be frank, all of you are using Proxies for that, Arn’t you?. Books and literature on other websites are already available and all of you are using it since I see all doctors, engineers, students passing their exams and graduating even without YouTube. I bet that some of the “Open YouTube campaigners” may also be paid by Google since YouTube is getting a big loss due to ban put by the govt. We need to decide that whether Google / YouTube is important or our religion, our beloved Prophet SAWW’s respect and our nation’s pride.
Finally, my plea is that let the govt settle this issue. Turkey had banned YouTube for 2 years which finally let, the owner to obey Turkish govt’s demands. We should also act with dignity and make owners to surrender to Pak govt’s demands. Opening YouTube at this point in time without necessary legislation and agreements will not benefit Pakistan but will only benefit Google and the Zionists. They will make Ms Anusha Rehman open it and in case of any blunder will put the whole blame on her. Besides, the case is also subjudice in Lahore High Court and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has yet to give his verdict on the case. Opening YouTube without consent of judiciary will create problems for PML-N govt and the Ministry as well. Our nation should support and respect the decisions taken by our Government, Judiciary, LEAs, PTA and our Ministries, instead of using defaming tactics against them.
The writer can be approached through zameer36@gmail.com
