A court in Islamabad has ordered the blocking of 27 well-known YouTube channels accused of spreading content considered “anti-state.”
Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah issued the directive on Tuesday after a request from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing began an investigation on June 2, 2025.
The agency found that several YouTube channels were uploading and spreading content allegedly in violation of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and other Pakistani laws.
The court stated: “In the light of facts explained and evidence presented by the enquiry officer, this court is convinced that the subject matter constitutes offences punishable under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Penal Laws of Pakistan.”
The court expressed satisfaction with the evidence provided and authorised legal action.
According to the court’s written order, officials at Google LLC (YouTube) have been instructed to remove or block access to the 27 identified channels.
The order was filed under Section 94 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
PECA 2025 Amendment and Its Impact
The decision follows the recent implementation of the PECA (Amendment) Act 2025, signed into law in January.
The new law includes updated definitions, new regulatory bodies, and harsher penalties for spreading false information.
Under the amendment, anyone affected by misinformation can request content removal, and the authority must respond within 24 hours.
The law has faced heavy criticism from opposition parties, journalist bodies and HRCP, which has called for its repeal.
However, HRCP highlighted serious flaws and warned against using coercive clauses from earlier versions of the law.
Earlier this year, two journalists, Farhan Mallick and Waheed Murad, were arrested under the new provisions.
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