A local court in Islamabad has ordered the blocking of 27 well-known YouTube channels, including those operated by several prominent journalists and media personalities.
The order was issued at the request of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), citing concerns over alleged anti-state content.
Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah presided over the hearing on the FIA’s plea, which sought the blocking of specific channels. The court accepted the request and directed YouTube to take immediate action.
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The blocked channels include those of Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor, Siddique Jan, Orya Maqbool Jan, Arzoo Kazmi, Habib Akram, Imran Riaz, Sabir Shakir, Aftab Iqbal, and Moeed Pirzada, among others.
According to the written two-page court order, the FIA initiated an inquiry on June 2 regarding the publication of alleged anti-state content on these platforms. The agency submitted evidence to support its claims, prompting the court to take action.
The order noted that the court found the FIA’s evidence satisfactory and stated that legal action could be taken in accordance with the law. The court emphasized that the content being produced on these channels warranted intervention due to its potential threat to the national interest.
The court directed the officer-in-charge at YouTube to ensure the blocking of the 27 identified channels. The move marks a significant step in the state’s ongoing scrutiny of digital content and its regulation under national security considerations.
