ISLAMABAD (AP) – A Pakistani official says the government has allowed access to a localized version of the video sharing website YouTube after assurances from the company that it would insert country-specific filters to remove objectionable content.
Pakistan banned YouTube under a court order in September 2012 for carrying a controversial made-in-America movie trailer that sparked deadly protests across the Muslim world. The movie “Innocence of Muslims” was considered blasphemous and derogatory to Islam for its portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad.
Some of the most intense protests erupted in Pakistan, where the role of Islam in society is sacrosanct and anti-American sentiment runs high.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority spokesman Khurram Mehran says all the instructions were given and the website was accessible across the country on Monday.