Islamabad court annuls ban on 27 YouTube channels

Pronouncing a reserved verdict on the appeals filed by 11 YouTubers against a judicial magistrate’s decision, a session court in Islamabad on Thursday declared the ban imposed on 27 YouTube channels in the country null and void, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka accepted the appeals filed by Matiuallah Jan, Asad Toor, Abdul Qadir and others. 

During the hearing, the judge, while admonishing the CCIA prosecutor, asked under which law the channels could be banned. “You want judges to do what you are supposed to do,” he said, adding, “I will not let you defame judges.” 

Earlier, Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah had directed the blocking of 27 YouTube channels on the request of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. 

Reporter: Hashir Warraich