The website Queer Pakistan is no longer, as government authorities in the Muslim-dominated nation that’s ranked among the worst in the world for gay tolerance issues have pulled the plug on the online resource.
The site only went live in July, CNN reported. Just this week, its content managers tweeted: “It’s official! QueerPK is banned from viewership in Pakistan.”
Pakistanis trying to access the site could not. A note told them: “Surf safely! This website is not accessible. The site you are trying to access contains content that is prohibited for viewership from within Pakistan.”
Those outside Pakistan can still access it, however, CNN reported.
Meanwhile, human rights groups are outraged at the censorship.
“The government’s blocking of Queeerpk.com clearly violates internationally recognized rights to freedom of expression and non-discrimination, and should be lifted immediately,” said Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch, Asia division, in CNN.
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Pew Research Center ranks Pakistan among the most intolerant countries in the world regarding gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual issues. Homosexuality is illegal in Pakistan, where more than 97 percent of the country’s residents are Muslims.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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