Islamabad, July 8, 2025: A local court in Islamabad has approved the blocking of 27 Pakistani YouTube channels after a request from the Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The Cyber Crime Circle approached the court to get permission to block these channels, accusing them of spreading fake, false, and misleading news against state institutions.
Many of these YouTubers and journalists are widely seen as supporters of PTI or considered PTI-friendly voices.
In its request, the FIA stated that these channels were involved in posting harmful and false content that was causing fear among the public, spreading panic, and creating hatred against government departments and officials. The report also mentioned that these YouTube channels were damaging the privacy and respect of state officers and creating unrest in society.
The FIA requested the court to allow them to contact Google LLC (YouTube’s parent company) for the blocking of these channels under Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The request was submitted by Sub-Inspector M. Waseem Khan from the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, Islamabad.
After reviewing the report and listening to the request, the Judicial Magistrate of Islamabad Abbas Shah approved the request and issued a two-page written order granting permission to block the channels.
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Here is the list of YouTube channels mentioned in the court order:
- Haider Mehdi
- Siddique Jan
- Sabeeq Kazmi
- Orya Maqbool Jan
- Arzoo Kazmi
- Asad Toor
- Rana Uzair Speaks
- Sajid Gondal
- Habib Akram
- Imran Riaz Khan
- Naya Pakistan
- Imran Khan
- Aftab Iqbal
- Reel Entertainment TV
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
- Sabir Shakir
- Daily Qudrat
- Qadir Qadri
- Chandasai Journalists
- Naila Pakistani Reaction
- Matiullah Jan
- Wajahat Saeed Khan
- Ahmad Noorani
- Nazar Chohan
- Moeed Pirzada
- Makhdoom Shahab ud Din
- Shayan Ali
It has also been revealed that YouTube has started sending warning emails to the owners of these channels.
YouTube reportedly warned them that if they fail to respond, YouTube may take action on its own and block their channels following the government’s request.
PTA stated that this decision was taken in the interest of national security and the protection of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
“The objective of this content was to influence public opinion negatively and damage national cohesion,” said PTA in an official statement.
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However, in an earlier development, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had denied reports claiming it prepared a list of YouTube channels and is waiting for government approval to block them for allegedly running campaigns against state institutions.
At the same time, Pakistan journalist community is calling this action a new wave of censorship on free speech. They believe it is an attempt to silence their voices and stop criticism against the government. Some believe this move will badly affect freedom of speech in the country while others are warning that such steps could create more distrust between the media and the authorities.
