Bytesforall Pakistan ICT Policy Monitor Network

MobileActive releases the first-ever comparison of do-it-yourself SMS campaign tools, designed especially for nonprofits and NGOs. The Guide helps NGOs get started in setting up a SMS campaign and includes a comparison of different SMS campaign software: http://mobileactive.org/wiki/Desktop_SMS_Campaign_Tools

Here is the link to Wall Street Journal story on YouTube Block in Pakistan. OpenNet Initiative is also mentioned.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120395109205290503.html

Further investigation revealed that it is actually NOT the blasphemous Dutch film but quite a few other reasons. If it was reaction only to that Dutch film then Wikipedia and many other websites should have also been blocked long ago, when they put the picture of prophet on different websites.

Am attaching the circular, which was issued by PTA collectively to Internet Service Providers Association, PTCL and TWA. Have also talked to Mr. Wahaj us Siraj, Convener, ISPs Association.

Got this news a while ago that federal government have issued orders to block Youtube in Pakistan. Reason quoted has been a blasphemous Dutch film but am not sure if that really is the reason. It may well be the material being uploaded by the civil rights activists against the President of Pakistan.

Let me find out more details.

Yes, I could not access the website from home.

A comprehensive data pool on gender issues was launched by the SAARC Secretary General at the inaugural of the recent Sixth South Asian Regional Ministerial Conference by UNIFEM at New Delhi. The Gender Database will provide records on violence against women and trafficking in the South Asia region, and on women's health and HIV/AIDS.

More information is accessible on the link:

http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/157046/1893/228386

I found this book 'ICT Infrastructure in emerging Asia: Policy and Regulatory Roadblocks' edited by Rohan Samarajiva and Ayesha Zainudeen, quite interesting. This five country study looks into the problem of expanding information and communication technology (ICT) connectivity in emerging Asia.

Reporters Without Borders fears that a new law on cyber crime, revealed on 7 January by the authorities, will pose serious obstacles to "citizen journalism" and calls on the government to clarify the
definition of some of its provisions.

"This law prevents any blogger from posting photos or video showing
persons who have not given their consent," the press freedom
organisation said. "Pakistan has understood its right to give itself a
law for fighting cyber-crime, but it is vital that this law should not
obstruct freedom of information."

We, the cyberspace users in Pakistan are extremely shocked at the sad demise of freedom, liberty and civil rights on 31st December, 2007. This was the last day of unfortunate, terrible, bloody, scary year in the history of the country.

Above mentioned folks died due to a suffocating ordinance in the name of prevention of cyber crimes in Pakistan. The ordinance as usual came from the pitch dark, imposed by the Government.

Yet another calamity drawn on Pakistanis on the lines of notorious "Hudood Ordinance". This is very unfortunate move further rusting already bleeding wounds.

Pakistan's Civil Society is deeply concerned about the move by the Government of Pakistan to send Pakistani Voter List to Montreal on the pretext of safe keeping and avoiding it from hacking attacks. This is a terrible news and gross negligence from data protection and  privacy standards.