Islamabad Court Reverses Ban on YouTube Channels

An Islamabad district and sessions court on Thursday revoked a judicial magistrate’s decision to prohibit 11 YouTube channels.

In June, a directive from Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah instructed authorities to block 27 prominent YouTube channels, alleging the dissemination of content deemed “anti-state.”

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had initially requested the channels’ closure.

The district and sessions court has been reviewing the appeals challenging the imposed ban on these YouTube channels.

Judge Afzal Majoka delivered the reserved verdict concerning appeals submitted by 11 YouTubers contesting the closure of their respective channels.

The court granted the 11 appeals, effectively overturning the judicial magistrate’s order to shut down the specified YouTube channels.

During the court session, Judge Majoka voiced his disapproval to the NCCIA prosecutor, stating, “You are overstepping your bounds; I will not permit this.”
He further inquired about the legal basis for blocking the channels, adding that there were evident attempts to discredit judges.

In the prior ruling in June, the court asserted: “Considering the presented facts and evidence by the enquiry officer, the court finds sufficient grounds that the subject matter constitutes offences punishable under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act [Peca] and Penal Laws of Pakistan.”

The court affirmed its satisfaction with the evidence provided by the NCCA and authorized legal proceedings in accordance with existing laws.

Notably, the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Peca) (Amendment) Bill 2025 was enacted in January, introducing revised definitions, establishing regulatory and investigative bodies, and imposing stricter penalties for spreading “false” information.