Google Agrees to Launch Localized Version of YouTube in Pakistan

To block blasphemous content with-in Pakistani borders, Google/YouTube has conditionally agreed to launch localized version of YouTube in Pakistan that’ll work in-line with local authorities, reported by Dawn.
The paper said that this new arrangement will give birth to a local version of YouTube in Pakistan, YouTube.com.pk or YouTube.pk, citing the Minister for IT and Telecom, Ms. Anusha Rehman.
Ms. Rehman was cited as saying that about religious sensitivities of Pakistanis, government of Pakistan has succeeded in convincing the Google management. To a Standing Committee of Senate yesterday, she was explaining the situation.
Google wants not to be held responsible for any blasphemous content uploaded on its sites as that will be a personal action of the individual, Anusha Rehman further unveiled. However, to get any such blasphemous content blocked in Pakistan, Google will work closely with government of Pakistan.
According to the minister, a detailed draft is being prepared by PTA as Google has asked Government’s guarantee in this regard.
Anusha said that for enactment as law, this draft ordinance will be processed by the ministry after finalization.
Ms. Rehman further explained that Pakistan won’t require any costly filtration mechanisms after this localized version of YouTube. Instead, on the request of the Pakistan government, Google will easily be able to block blasphemous content. She also said that with Google, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia have also reached a similar arrangement.
The state minister also explained that Google will not be violating its own company law of hindering freedom of expression by localizing YouTube.
The minister said that she could not give an exact date for the re-opening of YouTube, responding to a question from the members.
It may be recalled that for not blocking blasphemous content in Pakistan, YouTube is banned in Pakistan since 17th September 2012.