BlackBerry Postpones it’s Exit from Pakistan

The company and telecoms authority informed on Monday that BlackBerry Ltd will postpone closing down its operations in Pakistan till 30th December 2015, as discussions are going on over government demands for access to users’ private data or information.

The state-run Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in July asked BlackBerry to provide it access to its BlackBerry Enterprise Services (BES), which encode information or data such as emails and instant messages, or to stop working and shut it down by 30th November 2015.

Marty Beard revealed that the Government of Pakistan wanted the capability to monitor all BlackBerry Enterprise Service (BES) traffic in the country, such as emails and BlackBerry Messenger messages. So this had left them no choice but to stop working in Pakistan. But now negotiations are going on and BlackBerry will perhaps delay it’s exit from Pakistan.

Also Read: PTA Banned BlackBerry Enterprise Services Due to Security Reasons

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Dr Syed Ismail Shah on Monday then proposed a one-month extension to the deadline that was to end on Nov.30. BlackBerry also confirmed the extension in an announcement on its website.

“The level of access is still under discussion.”

Dr Ismail Shah said.

“We can extend the deadline and they can continue to work until then.”

Government of Pakistan has informed that it wants access to sustain its security, with police saying criminals use secure communications like those given by BlackBerry. Analysts are of the view that the government is increasing electronic investigation to target activists, politicians and journalists.

Also Read: BlackBerry Confirms it’s Exit From Pakistan