In a move that will undoubtedly make life more difficult for LGBTQ people in Pakistan, the country’s government has announced that it is blocking several online dating apps. Dating and hook-up apps Tinder and Grindr have both been blocked in Pakistan, along with Tagged, Skout, and SayHi. Thankfully, Gaydar hasn’t been blocked yet but we are monitoring the situation closely.

The statement from the Pakistan government is that they have blocked the dating apps for violating new rules that were implemented in the country earlier this year. The rules are the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules – they’re aimed at curbing online hate speech, fake news, terror-related content, and ‘immoral’ content. Critics of the Citizens Protections rules see them as an attempt to censor and control online content at large.

It’s reported that government authorities had sent warning notices to the impacted apps, but that the companies did not respond withing the specified time-frame. This appears to be part of a trend by the Pakistan government towards increasing censorship and attempts to control online content.

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Pakistan?

Is it legal to be gay in Pakistan?

No. Same-sex sexual encounters have been illegal in Pakistan since 1860.

Although officially an Islamic Republic, Pakistan derives most of its laws and legal system from its colonisation by the United Kingdom.

Are there any anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people?

No. There are no anti-discrimination protections on the basis of sexuality.

There are some protections for Trans people.

Is there Marriage Equality in Pakistan?

No. There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Pakistan?

Pakistan is a socially conservative country. Homosexuality is taboo and this forces most LGBTQ people to conceal their sexuality.

There is a long-standing cultural tradition of Trans or third-gender people within Pakistan.