Islamabad High Court Orders YouTube to Block 27 Channels in Pakistan

Ahmed Raza

Court Responds to Misinformation Concerns

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and YouTube to block 27 channels in Pakistan.The court made this decision after concerns about channels spreading misinformation, hate speech, and defamatory content online. The order came on July 9 during a hearing focused on online harassment and the spread of harmful material.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, who oversaw the hearing, stressed that while freedom of speech is important, it should not be used to harm others or disrupt society.

YouTube to Work with Local Agencies

The IHC told the PTA and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to team up with YouTube’s local staff. Their job is to ensure these 27 channels are not available in Pakistan. The court also asked the PTA to provide a report within seven days, showing their progress.

Justice Kayani made it clear that expressing opinions is a right, but YouTube must not become a space for false claims or attacks on state institutions, such as the judiciary, the military, or religious leaders.

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    • Channel Names Remain Confidential

    So far, the names of the 27 channels have not been released to the public.Reports suggest the list includes well-known political commentators, speakers on religion, and other popular online figures.

    Public Response Is Divided

    The court’s order has sparked a variety of opinions. Some people say these steps are needed to control harmful online content and protect the public. Others worry that such actions could silence important voices and restrict freedom of speech.

    Digital rights activists are asking the government to be clear about what counts as “harmful content.”They also want a fair process for deciding which channels or videos get removed.

    Next Steps in the Case

    The court will review the case again next week. Many eyes are on how the authorities handle these orders and what this could mean for online speech in Pakistan.

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