ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has apologized to the entire nation for shutting down social media services, including Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Telegram and Google search engine from 11am till 3pm on Friday (16 April 2021).
“I as Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed apologize to entire nation for shutting down social media, including WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram” said the federal minister. “We shut down these services because of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) threatening to come out on the streets after Friday prayer.”
“We will not repeat [shutting down social media] this mistake.” promised Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid. “The Friday prayer went peacefully and there was no violence on the street.” continued the federal minister while thanking the police force, rangers and administration of Punjab and Karachi.
“Thanks to Allah, today we have defeated all those who want to to cause chaos using social media.” stated the Federal Minister. “Moving forward, we will try not to shut down social media services in the country.” he said in his statement.
“We will make sure that Pakistan moves forwards and these elements have been defeated, which include those who blocked ambulances and other emergency services, burned public and private property” said Sheikh Rasheed.
“We have declared them [TLP] banned as a banned organization and we will go to court for defamation as well as seize their bank accounts, passports and bring their ID card in our records.” continued the interior minister. “We will not allow terrorism in the country at any cost.”
Read more: Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube, Telegram suspended in Pakistan.
