KARACHI Nov.16: Bolo bhi strongly protests governments consistent crackdown on cellular services across Karachi and Quetta as a security measure.
In this year alone, the government has suspended cellular services on seven different occasions. This includes Independence Day, Eid and Government sanction day of protest. However, this notification witnessed an additional ban on motorcycles across the two cities, this was later reverted by Sindh High Court.
These kill-switch tactics by the government reflect an inadequate and flawed counter terrorism strategy. There are other, more efficient methods to counter terrorism without compromising citizen’s basic rights to access and communication.
Despite protests by human rights organizations and cellular companies the government continues to compromise citizen’s rights to communication and the recent notification proves that these measures will further hurt the citizen’s right to access, communicate and commute. The Government must take all measures to resolve these concerns and devise alternative means to ensure security.
Contact: Afia Salam – Bolo Bhi
Email: afia@bolobhi.org
Bolo Bhi means ‘Speak up’, in Urdu. We are a not-for-profit geared towards advocacy, policy and research in the areas of gender rights, government transparency, legislation, Internet freedom, digital security, privacy and empowerment. We, at Bolo Bhi, believe it is crucial to bridge the gap between rights advocates, policy makers, media and citizens. It is by bridging this gap that one can move ahead to chart a way forward and resolve issues through consensus, in a way that is mutually beneficial. (edit)
