ISLAMABAD: In a significant move that has raised concerns over press freedom and digital expression, a court in Islamabad has authorized the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing to block 27 Pakistani YouTube channels — many of them known for their critical stance on the government, military, and for expressing views sympathetic to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The order came in response to a petition filed by the FIA’s Cyber Crime Circle, which alleged that these channels were involved in disseminating “false, misleading, and defamatory” content aimed at state institutions. The agency claimed that such content incited fear, spread panic, and undermined public trust in key government bodies.
Among the names listed for blocking are several prominent journalists, political commentators, and independent voices including Haider Mehdi, Orya Maqbool Jan, Siddique Jan, Sabir Shakir, Matiullah Jan, Moeed Pirzada, Asad Toor, Imran Riaz Khan, and Ahmad Noorani — all of whom are known for their outspoken commentary, particularly regarding civil-military relations and governance issues. The official PTI YouTube channel and other affiliated platforms also feature on the list.
The court’s decision gives FIA the green light to proceed with action against the mentioned channels, as authorities intensify efforts to curb what they call “digital disinformation campaigns” threatening national security and institutional integrity.
However, media rights advocates and digital freedom groups have expressed concerns that the move could be seen as a broader crackdown on dissent and independent journalism in Pakistan’s digital space. Critics point out that many of the targeted platforms had been voicing opposition narratives and highlighting issues related to political accountability, press freedom, and human rights.
While the government maintains that such measures are necessary to prevent misinformation and hate speech, the decision is likely to fuel ongoing debates about censorship, political bias in enforcement, and the shrinking space for critical voices online.
The list of blocked channels includes:
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.
As Pakistan continues to navigate its political and media landscape amid rising polarization, the implications of such court-backed internet bans are likely to remain a point of sharp public and legal scrutiny.
