Pakistan on Saturday blocked the Wikipedia website over failure to remove "sacrilegious content” two days after it had issued an ultimatum to it for taking it down urgently.&nbsp;The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday had warned to block access to Wikipedia services if it failed to adhere to their order. The agency, however, did not elaborate on the content that was considered offensive by the conservative country.

“The action was taken because some of the content is still available on Wikipedia after the expiry of a 48-hour deadline,” Malahat Obaid, spokesperson for Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, told Bloomberg.

Bloomberg reported that the Pakistani officials are still in talks with the Wikipedia executives.

Obaid indicated that they will consider unblocking the platform if the content is removed completely. Wikipedia is yet to make a comment on the issue.

<h2>Gravitas: Pakistan wants to ban Wikipedia. Here's why</h2>

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Blasphemy is a sensitive issue in Pakistan and anyone found convicted of insulting Islam is penalised, and in some cases the penalty is even capital punishment.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/wikipedia-may-get-blocked-in-pakistan-over-blasphemy-report-558295">&nbsp;Wikipedia may get blocked in Pakistan over 'blasphemy': Report</a>

On Wednesday, PTA said it “degraded” Wikipedia services in the Muslim-majority country for not complying with its order to remove the “unlawful” content.&nbsp;

"PTA has degraded Wikipedia services in the country on account of not blocking/removing sacrilegious contents. Wikipedia was approached for blocking/removal of the said contents by issuing a notice under applicable law and court order(s). An opportunity of hearing was also provided, however, the platform neither complied by removing the blasphemous content nor appeared before the Authority," the official statement of Pakistan Telecom Authority said in an official release.

"Given the intentional failure on part of the platform to comply with the directions of PTA, the services of Wikipedia have been degraded for 48 hours with the direction to block/remove the reported contents," the official release added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pakistan on Saturday blocked the Wikipedia website over failure to remove "sacrilegious content” two days after it had issued an ultimatum to it for taking it down urgently.

Pakistan on Saturday blocked the Wikipedia website over failure to remove "sacrilegious content” two days after it had issued an ultimatum to it for taking it down urgently. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday had warned to block access to Wikipedia services if it failed to adhere to their order. The agency, however, did not elaborate on the content that was considered offensive by the conservative country. “The action was taken because some of the content is still available on Wikipedia after the expiry of a 48-hour deadline,” Malahat Obaid, spokesperson for Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, told Bloomberg. Bloomberg reported that the Pakistani officials are still in talks with the Wikipedia executives. Obaid indicated that they will consider unblocking the platform if the content is removed completely. Wikipedia is yet to make a comment on the issue. Gravitas: Pakistan wants to ban Wikipedia. Here's why Blasphemy is a sensitive issue in Pakistan and anyone found convicted of insulting Islam is penalised, and in some cases the penalty is even capital punishment. Also read | Wikipedia may get blocked in Pakistan over 'blasphemy': Report On Wednesday, PTA said it “degraded” Wikipedia services in the Muslim-majority country for not complying with its order to remove the “unlawful” content. "PTA has degraded Wikipedia services in the country on account of not blocking/removing sacrilegious contents. Wikipedia was approached for blocking/removal of the said contents by issuing a notice under applicable law and court order(s). An opportunity of hearing was also provided, however, the platform neither complied by removing the blasphemous content nor appeared before the Authority," the official statement of Pakistan Telecom Authority said in an official release. "Given the intentional failure on part of the platform to comply with the directions of PTA, the services of Wikipedia have been degraded for 48 hours with the direction to block/remove the reported contents," the official release added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan blocks Wikipedia for not removing content declared ‘blasphemous’

It may be the sign of the times! The last free bastion in the online world may be falling to the paywall.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-has-wikipedia-changed-our-lives-274429">Also Read: Wikipedia turns 15 - How it changed our lives &amp; the world</a>

Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia today made a "humble" plea to its readers asking for money in a bid to raise funds.

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It said on its site: "We depend on donations averaging about ₹1,000, but 98% of our readers don’t give. If everyone reading this gave ₹150, the price of a box of tea, we could keep Wikipedia thriving for years to come."

The site which depends on volunteers to write &amp;&nbsp;edit with its open editing system said that being a non-profit organization "people warned us we'd regret it. But if <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-blocks-access-to-wikipedia-bans-tv-dating-shows-15069">Wikipedia</a> became commercial, it would be a great loss to the world."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-china-blocks-all-language-editions-of-wikipedia-218956">Also Read:&nbsp;Now, China blocks all language editions of Wikipedia</a>

"It's a little awkward, so we'll get straight to the point: This Wednesday we humbly ask you to defend Wikipedia's independence."&nbsp;

The board on top of its page clearly stated that the site runs due to "a community of people" working to bring unlimited access to reliable, neutral information. &nbsp;"We ask you, humbly, to help," it said.

Although it is still a "plea" to readers but it came as surprise to many&nbsp;with the site coming openly "straight to the point".

The company has put up various&nbsp;price bands of Rs 150 to Rs 5,000 which readers can volunteer to give through online payment, with an "other" button in which a user can give an unspecified amount.

"When we made Wikipedia a non-profit, people warned us we'd regret it. But if Wikipedia became commercial, it would be a great loss to the world. Wikipedia unites all of us who love knowledge: contributors, readers, and the donors who keep us thriving," it said.

The site which was founded in 2001 has grown to become a pillar of the free economy on the Internet with millions who depend on it each day. It publishes content in several languages including Catalan, Swedish, German, French,&nbsp;Portuguese among several others.

It also hosts its content on the mobile app and has free online courses, travel guides, speech directories among other documents which keeps users hooked to the site for hours.&nbsp;

It may be the sign of the times! The last free bastion in the online world may be falling to the paywall. Also Read: Wikipedia turns 15 - How it changed our lives & the world Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia today made a "humble" plea to its readers asking for money in a bid to raise funds.

It may be the sign of the times! The last free bastion in the online world may be falling to the paywall. Also Read: Wikipedia turns 15 - How it changed our lives & the world Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia today made a "humble" plea to its readers asking for money in a bid to raise funds. It said on its site: "We depend on donations averaging about ₹1,000, but 98% of our readers don’t give. If everyone reading this gave ₹150, the price of a box of tea, we could keep Wikipedia thriving for years to come." The site which depends on volunteers to write & edit with its open editing system said that being a non-profit organization "people warned us we'd regret it. But if Wikipedia became commercial, it would be a great loss to the world." Also Read: Now, China blocks all language editions of Wikipedia "It's a little awkward, so we'll get straight to the point: This Wednesday we humbly ask you to defend Wikipedia's independence." The board on top of its page clearly stated that the site runs due to "a community of people" working to bring unlimited access to reliable, neutral information. "We ask you, humbly, to help," it said. Although it is still a "plea" to readers but it came as surprise to many with the site coming openly "straight to the point". The company has put up various price bands of Rs 150 to Rs 5,000 which readers can volunteer to give through online payment, with an "other" button in which a user can give an unspecified amount. "When we made Wikipedia a non-profit, people warned us we'd regret it. But if Wikipedia became commercial, it would be a great loss to the world. Wikipedia unites all of us who love knowledge: contributors, readers, and the donors who keep us thriving," it said. The site which was founded in 2001 has grown to become a pillar of the free economy on the Internet with millions who depend on it each day. It publishes content in several languages including Catalan, Swedish, German, French, Portuguese among several others. It also hosts its content on the mobile app and has free online courses, travel guides, speech directories among other documents which keeps users hooked to the site for hours.

Is the pay wall coming? Wikipedia makes 'humble' plea to users to pay to 'defend independence'

A Turkish court on Wednesday lifted a ban on Wikipedia after almost three years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-has-wikipedia-changed-our-lives-274429">Also Read:&nbsp;Wikipedia turns 15: How it changed our lives &amp; the world&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

Turkey was the only country in the world apart from China to entirely block access to the online encyclopedia.

But its constitutional court ruled last month that the ban, in place since April 2017, violated freedom of expression.&nbsp;

Turkish officials said in 2017 that the ban was needed as Wikipedia had failed to remove content accusing its government of assisting terrorist groups.

Rights groups have regularly criticised the erosion of free speech in Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, especially since a failed coup attempt in 2016 triggered a massive crackdown on government critics in the press and beyond.

An Ankara judge gave the order on Wednesday for the ban to be lifted by the telecommunications watchdog.&nbsp;

Users said the website was still inaccessible on Wednesday though it was expected to be gradually unblocked nationwide.&nbsp;

A Turkish court on Wednesday lifted a ban on Wikipedia after almost three years. Also Read: Wikipedia turns 15: How it changed our lives & the world Turkey was the only country in the world apart from China to entirely block access to the online encyclopedia.

A Turkish court on Wednesday lifted a ban on Wikipedia after almost three years. Also Read: Wikipedia turns 15: How it changed our lives & the world Turkey was the only country in the world apart from China to entirely block access to the online encyclopedia. But its constitutional court ruled last month that the ban, in place since April 2017, violated freedom of expression. Turkish officials said in 2017 that the ban was needed as Wikipedia had failed to remove content accusing its government of assisting terrorist groups. Rights groups have regularly criticised the erosion of free speech in Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, especially since a failed coup attempt in 2016 triggered a massive crackdown on government critics in the press and beyond. An Ankara judge gave the order on Wednesday for the ban to be lifted by the telecommunications watchdog. Users said the website was still inaccessible on Wednesday though it was expected to be gradually unblocked nationwide.

Turkey court lifts ban on Wikipedia after nearly three years

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Pakistan blocks Wikipedia for not removing content declared ‘blasphemous’

Is the pay wall coming? Wikipedia makes 'humble' plea to users to pay to 'defend independence'

Turkey court lifts ban on Wikipedia after nearly three years