An Islamabad court has suspended the earlier order that directed YouTube to block Pakistani channels, many of which are operated by prominent journalists and media commentators. The new court order suspends the ban on two Pakistani YouTube channels, specifically Toor and Matiullah Jan. The fate of the 25 other channels remains unknown.
The suspension was issued by Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka, effectively putting on hold a previous decision made by Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah, who had ordered the blocking at the request of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). That order had cited alleged “anti-state” content as grounds for banning the channels.
Among the channels initially ordered to be blocked were high-profile names such as Asad Toor, Matiullah Jan, Imran Riaz, Moeed Pirzada, Sabir Shakir, and Aftab Iqbal. The initial court order had asked YouTube to take action following an FIA investigation into content that allegedly posed a threat to national interests.
According to the original written order, the FIA had launched an inquiry on June 2, presenting what it claimed to be credible evidence of anti-state rhetoric. The court had accepted that evidence and approved the agency’s request to block the listed channels, citing the content as “harmful to the national interest.”
Victory for Press Freedom
However, today’s reversal comes as a victory for press freedom and digital rights, at least temporarily. Journalist Asad Ali Toor, one of the petitioners, took to X to share the news, calling the court’s ruling a “big victory.” He added that his channel, Asad Toor UNCENSORED, and Matiullah Jan’s MJtv, would remain accessible for now.
Toor thanked his legal team, which includes Riasat Ali Azad, Zainab Janjua, Imaan Z. Hazir, Hadia Ali, and digital rights advocate Farieha Aziz, for their representation.
While the suspension is a welcome development for free speech advocates, it remains to be seen whether the FIA will appeal or press further charges under cybercrime laws.
Funny how they are now worried about youtube channels then actually addressing the issues.
Anti state = anyone that disagrees with the rulers