Pakistan reportedly blocks Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube amid protest crackdowns

Pakistan has reportedly blocked Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter amid a broader crackdown on protests.

The blockages come after six people died and 200 others were injured after authorities attempted to clear Islamist protests from highways near the capital of Islamabad, according to the Associated Press.

Pakistan also instituted a media blackout, with many of its major TV stations going off the air.

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Twitter publicly confirmed that Pakistan had blocked its service. Facebook and YouTube have yet to make a public comment and did not immediately respond to media inquiries.

The block triggered a reaction on Twitter, with many journalists in the region drawing attention to Pakistan's actions. Some people reported being able to use services through Virtual Private Networks, which can work around regional blocks.

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