Facebook unblocked in Pakistan but not in Bangladesh

Pakistan lifted the ban on Facebook just one day after Bangladesh blocked the site for the same reasons.

On Friday, hundreds of protesters marched through Dhaka demanding that Facebook be banned.

On Sunday, the government blocked the site but stressed this was a temporary measure.

Bangladeshi Facebook users have protested against the ban, calling for its immediate lifting.

Cartoon-drawing competition sparks outrage

Earlier this month, one user set up a competition to draw the Prophet Mohammad in the express hope this would promote "freedom of expression". Many Muslims in Pakistan were outraged and some took to the streets to protest.

A group of representatives from the Islamic Lawyers Movement filed petitions with the Lahore High Court and called for the site to be blocked on May 19.

The court ruled that access to Facebook be blocked. The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority implemented the ban.

System to block "blasphemous" content

On Monday, Justice Ejaz Chaudhry of the Lahore court ordered to restore access to the site but requested that the government develop a system to block "blasphemous" online content.

The Islamic Lawyers' petitions have been adjourned until mid-June.

Last week, six Pakistani students set up an alternative site called millatfacebook.com, which they hope will become the largest social networking space for Muslims.

act/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Disha Uppal