An Islamabad District and Sessions Court has overturned an earlier order to block several YouTube channels, restoring access for 11 content creators, including journalists Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor and Abdul Qadir.
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Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka annulled the judicial magistrate’s decision after hearing the appeals of the YouTubers.
The magistrate had earlier directed the blocking of 27 channels following a petition from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which alleged that the platforms were spreading provocative and false content against state institutions.
During the hearing, Judge Majoka criticized the NCCIA prosecutor for attempting to shift responsibility onto the courts, questioning the authority under which online platforms could be blocked. He warned against efforts to malign judges and stressed that petitions would only be entertained if applicants or their counsel were present.
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The court declared the magistrate’s order void with respect to the 11 appeals under review, effectively restoring their YouTube channels. The remaining cases tied to other channels will proceed separately as part of the ongoing investigation.
