Court suspends order banning YouTube channels of govt critics in Pakistan

A court on Friday suspended an order that sought to ban the YouTube channels of more than two dozen government critics, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to a defence lawyer.

Earlier this week, YouTube — owned by Alphabet — notified 27 content creators that their channels, including those of journalists and members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, could be blocked if they did not comply with a judicial magistrate’s ban order.

YouTube’s regional communications manager did not respond to a request for comment from the international media.

The Islamabad judicial magistrate had issued the order following a June 2 report from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, which accused the channels of sharing "highly intimidating, provocative, and derogatory content against state institutions and officials."

The suspension of the ban was granted by an additional sessions judge, according to Imaan Mazari, the attorney representing two of the affected content creators.

Mazari argued that the original order was legally unfounded and issued without giving the accused a chance to present their defense. She also stated that the magistrate court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 21.

In Pakistan's judicial hierarchy, cases typically begin in magistrate courts, with appeals progressing to high courts and ultimately the Supreme Court.

Digital rights advocates warn that banning these YouTube channels would further erode free speech in Pakistan, where authorities have long been accused of suppressing traditional media. Social media remains one of the few remaining spaces for dissent.