Islamabad Court Orders Blocking of 27 YouTube Channels for Spreading Misinformation

An Islamabad court has ordered the blocking of 27 YouTube channels for allegedly airing anti-state content and spreading false information. The federal government has set up the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to investigate illegal activities on social media, playing a crucial role in combating cybercrime in Pakistan.

Sub-Inspector Waseem Khan of the NCCIA’s Cyber Crime Circle informed the Islamabad judicial magistrate that the department is conducting an inquiry under Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, regarding 27 YouTube channels disseminating fake and misleading information against state institutions. The channels include those of PTI, journalists Matiuallah Jan, Wajahat Khan, Ahmad Noorani, and Asad Ali Toor, as well as former anchors Imran Riaz, Orya Maqbool, Sabir Shakir, and Moeed Pirzada.

The channels were found sharing intimidating and derogatory content against state institutions and officials, provoking the public and armed forces personnel. The court ordered Google to block/remove the channels based on the evidence presented.

Earlier, Asad Ali Toor received a notice from YouTube regarding the legal request to remove his channel. Farhan Mallick, founder of media agency Raftar, was arrested in Karachi in a case related to alleged anti-state content on his YouTube channel but was later granted bail amidst criticism.