The Pakistan Telecoms Authority (PTA) blocked access
Thursday for a third time after a ruling by a Sindh court hearing a private
citizen's petition against the Chinese-owned app.
Freedom of speech advocates have long criticised creeping
government censorship and control of Pakistan's internet and media.
TikTok's suspension was slammed by the video sharing
platform's huge fan base in Pakistan, many of whom use it to market and sell
goods online.
But its critics in the deeply conservative Muslim nation say
it promotes vulgarity and LBGQT content.
TikTok has been shut down twice before in Pakistan because
of alleged "indecent" videos -- most recently in March, after which
the platform pledged better moderation.
It said Wednesday it had removed more than six million
videos from its Pakistan service in the past three months alone -- around 15
percent featuring "adult nudity and sexual activities".
A PTA official told AFP the court had Friday revoked its
earlier order banning the app, and users confirmed it was running again.
Still, even senior Pakistan officials appeared confused by
the to- and fro-ing.
"I am baffled after reading... verdict on suspension of TikTok," Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.
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