Pakistani Court Suspends YouTube Ban on 27 Government Critics Including Imran Khan

A Pakistani court has suspended an order that sought to ban the YouTube channels of more than two dozen government critics, including the main opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leader, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The original court order followed a June 2 report by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency accusing these channels of sharing intimidating, provocative, and derogatory content against state institutions. YouTube had notified 27 content creators that their channels could be blocked if they did not comply with the court directive, raising concerns about free speech in Pakistan where social media remains one of the few platforms for dissent. Defence lawyer Imaan Mazari challenged the ban’s legal basis and jurisdiction, leading to the suspension of the order by a sessions court, with the next hearing scheduled for July 21. Digital rights campaigners and affected journalists argue the ban would further restrict fundamental rights and silence voices critical of the government amid widespread media suppression. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between government authorities and independent media, with YouTube caught between local legal demands and advocates of freedom of expression.