Pakistanon Friday blocked social media platforms amid fears that activists of a radicalIslamist group might use the technology to stoke violent protests against lastyear's depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in France.
Followersof far-right Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), a group that supports thecountry's controversial blasphemy laws, have blocked roads and chocked streetsat deadly protests that started on Monday, reports dpa news agency.
Theprotesters are demanding that the government fulfil an earlier promise to expelthe French Ambassador by April 20 over the publication of a cartoon depictingthe prophet last year.
Atleast five people including two police officers have been killed in theprotests, which have prompted the France Embassy in Islamabad to urge French nationalsto leave Pakistan temporarily.
"Socialmedia has been blocked for a few hours so that troublemakers can not use itduring Friday prayers congregations," an official told dpa.
Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok are inaccessible across the country,including the capital Islamabad.
Politicalparties, Islamist groups and militant organisations like Pakistani Talibanheavily rely on social media platforms to connect with their followers.