Islamabad:
On Thursday, a district court and Islamabad sessions partially set aside the order of a lower court to block certain YouTube channels for their alleged anti-state content.
The additional judge of the district and the Muhammad Afzal Majoka sessions canceled the verdict of a judicial magistrate, accepting the petitions deposited by 11 content creators, including certain superior journalists.
During the procedure, the judge expressed his dissatisfaction with the prosecutor of the National Agency for Cybercrime (NCCIA). He pointed out that the agency seemed to move its responsibilities in the court, warning that such practices would not be authorized. He asked by what authority the channels were blocked and warned against the attempts to ignite the judges.
The Islamabad judicial magistrate Abbas Shah, on July 8, ordered the blocking of 27 YouTube channels – all managed by Pakistani journalists and content creators – with a view to their alleged anti -state content. The channels include those managed by renowned journalists like Orya Maqbool Jan, Aftab Iqbal, Mutiullah Jan and Imran Khan Riaz and Asad Toor.
Eleven of the content creators affected had challenged the decision before the district court and the sessions which collectively heard their calls.
Earlier, the court said that petitions would only be entertainment if the applicants or their lawyers appear before the court, adding that cases without representation would be rejected for non-foresuance.
