In a sweeping crackdown on dissent, a court in Islamabad has ordered the blocking of 27 YouTube channels, many of which are operated by Pakistani journalists, political commentators, and activists. The order was passed by Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah on the plea of the country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).CHANNELS INCLUDED: IMRAN KHAN, ARZOO KAZMI AMONG OTHERS According to the two-page court order, the channels involved include those run by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, journalist Arzoo Kazmi and several others who have been vocal critics of the Pakistani military and the establishment.advertisementThe magistrate said the court was “satisfied with the evidence provided by FIA”, which showed that the channels were allegedly spreading “anti-state content”.YOUTUBE INCHARGE OFFICER ASKED TO BLOCK CHANNELS“The YouTube incharge officer is directed to block 27 YouTube channels,” the order stated, while also endorsing FIA’s legal authority to act in the matter. The FIA reportedly began investigating the channels on June 2, and submitted what it called “sufficient proof” before the court.Below is the list of YouTube channels identified in the court order:The list of channels identified in the court order includes that of Haider Mehdi, Siddique Jan, Sabeeq Kazmi, Orya Maqbool Jan, Arzoo Kazmi, Rana Uzair Speaks, Sajid Gondal, Habib Akram, Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor, Imran Riaz Khan, Naya Pakistan, Sabir Shakir, Imran Khan, Aftab Iqbal, Reel Entertainment TV, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Daily Qudrat, Qadir Qadri, Chandasai Journalists, Naila Pakistani Reaction, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Ahmad Noorani, Nazar Chohan, Moeed Pirzada, Makhdoom Shahab ud Din and Shayan Ali. CHANNELS FACING TECHNICAL BLOCKS, EXILE AND THREATS In recent months, several Pakistani YouTubers have complained of shadow bans, restricted reach, or complete inaccessibility of their content within Pakistan. Some content creators have fled the country, continuing to broadcast from abroad over fears of arrest or even forced disappearances, often attributed to Pakistan’s deep state.EXPERTS SAY BLOCKING NEEDS YOUTUBE’S HELPHowever, technical experts say such bans may not be fully effective unless YouTube’s own management cooperates with the government to block or geofence the channels.“YouTube cannot be unilaterally blocked by a court without the platform being involved,” said a senior IT consultant, calling the move more symbolic than effective unless enforced at platform level.IRONY: PAKISTAN BLOCKS ITS OWN VOICESThe development comes at a time when India has banned several Pakistani YouTube channels for misinformation and propaganda. Now, Pakistan is banning its own citizens’ YouTube channels for allegedly pushing out anti-state content. 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Pakistan has prohibited 27 YouTube channels for airing content that is deemed ‘anti-state.’
