Sessions Court Annuls Magistrate’s Order
ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court on Thursday nullified a magistrate’s decision to block 11 YouTube channels, ruling that the earlier ban had no legal basis.
Judge Afzal Majoka announced the reserved verdict, accepting appeals filed by 11 YouTubers against the closure of their channels. The ban was originally imposed in June by Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah at the request of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which had accused 27 popular channels of spreading “anti-state” content.
Judge Questions NCCIA Authority
During the hearing, Judge Majoka sharply criticized the NCCIA prosecutor, remarking: “You have started taking over our work; I will never allow this.” He questioned under what authority the agency sought to block social media platforms, further warning that attempts were being made to malign judges through such cases.
The decision restores access to 11 channels that had been targeted under the magistrate’s earlier order.
Background of the Ban
In June, the judicial magistrate said he was satisfied with the evidence presented by the NCCIA, ruling that the content fell under punishable offences defined in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and the Penal Code. Based on this assessment, he had directed authorities to block 27 channels.
The NCCIA’s request and subsequent closure order stirred debate over freedom of expression, online regulation, and the scope of Peca.
Peca Amendments Heighten Controversy
The case comes against the backdrop of the Peca (Amendment) Bill 2025, signed into law in January. The updated law introduced stricter penalties for spreading “false” information, broadened definitions of cyber offences, and established new investigative and regulatory bodies.
Critics argue the amendments risk enabling overreach by state authorities, while supporters claim they are necessary to curb misinformation and safeguard national security.
