Ban on Facebook will be lifted soon, says State Minister Palak

Those who use Facebook in Bangladesh will be able to access it ‘very soon’, State Minister of ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak has said.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 3 Dec 2015, 07:05 AM
Updated : 3 Dec 2015, 12:16 PM

“We have contacted the Facebook authorities. We hope that the ban can be lifted very soon,” he told mediapersons on Thursday.

Asked when that might happen, the minister said: “I cannot give you a specific time or date, but I can say Facebook will be unblocked very soon.”

Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp and several other messaging and calling apps were rendered inaccessible by the Bangladesh government since Nov 18 for national security considerations.

Facebook authorities have already responded to a letter by the government, showing interest in discussions.

State Minister for Telecommunications Tarana Halim told the media that the social media’s Asia Pacific region policy advisor will arrive Dhaka on Dec 6 or 7 for discussions.

She made it clear, though, that the discussion has nothing to do with unblocking the site.

“That will happen only after getting clearance from the home ministry.”