Islamabad: A local court in Islamabad has ordered the immediate blocking of 27 YouTube channels accused of disseminating anti-state content, following a request by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in a move aimed at curbing online narratives deemed harmful to national interests.
Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah issued a two-page order after reviewing the FIA’s plea, which initiated an inquiry on June 2 into channels suspected of spreading content against the state. The court found the FIA’s evidence sufficient to justify the action. The blocked channels include those associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Matiullah Jan’s MJtv, Asad Toor Uncensored, Habib Akram, Orya Maqbool Jan, Moeed Pirzada, and 21 others. The court has directed YouTube’s officer in charge to restrict access to these channels in Pakistan, ensuring compliance with the ruling.
The decision has sparked debate over freedom of expression and the regulation of digital platforms, with authorities emphasizing the need to address content that undermines national security.
