YouTube has been ordered to review a court directive to block channels deemed critical of the Pakistani government. This includes channels linked to the main opposition party and imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The judicial magistrate in Islamabad based the decision on a report by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, which labeled the content as intimidating and provocative towards state officials. Digital rights organizations warn this could further limit dissenting voices in Pakistan. The Interior Minister stated that violators would face criminal charges for using social media disruptively.
YouTube has informed more than two dozen critics of the Pakistani government that it is reviewing a court directive seeking to block their channels for allegedly being anti-state.
The judicial magistrate court in Islamabad said it was seeking the ban after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency criticised the channels in a June 2 report for sharing highly intimidating, provocative and derogatory contents against state institutions and officials of the state of Pakistan.
Digital rights campaigners say that any ban would further undermine free speech in Pakistan, where the authorities are accused of stifling newspapers and television.
Pakistan's State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the content creators would also face criminal charges for using social media to create chaos.
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