Islamabad Court Pauses Ban on Five Additional YouTube Channels

An Islamabad court has suspended a lower court’s order to block five more YouTube channels, following a similar decision for two journalists’ channels, citing violations of due process. This ruling, a win for free speech, challenges the Pakistani government’s efforts to silence dissenting voices online.

On July 12, 2025, the Islamabad District and Sessions Court, under Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka, halted a judicial magistrate’s directive to block 27 YouTube channels accused of spreading “anti-state” content. The decision came after petitions from five individuals—Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Orya Maqbool Jan, Abdul Qadir, Uzair Anwar, and Umair Rafiq—who argued the ban violated their constitutional rights under Article 10-A, which guarantees a fair trial. The court found the original order lacked proper notice, undermining its legality. This follows a similar ruling on July 11, when the same court suspended the ban on channels run by journalists Matiullah Jan and Asad Toor, who confirmed the development on X, calling it a “big victory” for press freedom.

The initial ban, issued on July 8 by Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Abbas Shah, stemmed from a request by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which claimed the channels disseminated “false, misleading, and defamatory” content against state institutions. Critics, including the Forum for Digital Rights and Democracy (FDRD) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), condemned the move as an assault on free expression. The NCCIA’s broad accusations, often lacking specific evidence, have raised concerns about overreach, especially in a country where social media remains a vital platform for dissent amid restricted traditional media.

This suspension signals a pushback against Pakistan’s growing censorship regime. Digital rights advocate Farieha Aziz, part of the legal team challenging the ban, emphasized the need for transparency in such cases. The court’s decision to seek a response from the NCCIA by July 21 suggests further scrutiny of the agency’s claims. For now, these channels remain accessible, offering a lifeline to voices critical of the establishment. However, the ongoing legal battle underscores the fragile state of free speech in Pakistan, where authorities continue to target journalists and activists under vague laws like the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).