ISLAMABAD: YouTube is contemplating blocking the channels of 27 Pakistani vloggers after an Islamabad court ordered a ban on the creators, citing their content as “anti-state.” This action follows a complaint filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The order from the judicial magistrate came after the NCCIA accused the vloggers of sharing content deemed “highly intimidating, provocative, and derogatory” towards state institutions and officials. In response, YouTube notified the affected content creators that their channels could be removed if they did not comply with the court’s directive. The platform warned that failure to comply could result in the removal of channels in line with local legal obligations.
Digital rights activists have raised alarms about the potential ban, arguing that it would further restrict free speech in Pakistan, where media outlets are already under pressure. Social media platforms like YouTube are seen as one of the last remaining spaces for dissent.
Both the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the ruling. The SCBA criticized the decision for violating fundamental rights to a fair trial and freedom of expression, with President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta calling it an example of suppressing opposing voices without due process.
The HRCP condemned the decision as excessive, advocating for targeted actions against specific videos with unlawful content rather than shutting down entire channels. The commission stressed the importance of protecting the constitutional right to freedom of expression, which it views as crucial for ensuring government accountability and access to diverse viewpoints.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry stated that those affected would face criminal charges, emphasizing that social media creators must adhere to laws designed to regulate online conduct.
One of the affected vloggers, Asad Toor, voiced concerns that the move was part of a broader effort to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices. He stated that his platform had been used to highlight the struggles of marginalized groups who lack other outlets to express their grievances.
Digital rights advocate Usama Khilji also criticized the lack of due legal process, pointing out that attempts to suppress digital media in the current age were ineffective and unjust. Zulfikar Bukhari from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party also condemned the move, highlighting its broader implications for freedom of speech.
