ISLAMABAD – Digital crackdown on dissent journalists has been stopped as Pakistan court reversed ban on scores of channels including those of Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor, Aftab Iqbal and Imran Riaz Khan.
The court decision is said to be a win for digital rights and press freedom as Islamabad court temporarily suspended an earlier order that directed YouTube to block 27 famous Pakistani channels.
The suspension was issued by Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka, which halted previous ruling by Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah, who authorized blocking based on request from Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). FIA claimed that the content on targeted channels contained anti-state material that threatened national interests.
Several dissent voices Asad Ali Toor, Matiullah Jan, Imran Riaz Khan, Moeed Pirzada, Sabir Shakir, and Aftab Iqbal all widely followed voices in Pakistan’s political and media landscape.
According to original FIA report submitted in court on June 2, the agency presented what it termed as concrete evidence of “anti-state rhetoric.”
The court verdict is said to be a temporary win for press freedom and digital access. Asad Toor hailed the suspension on social media platform, calling it a “big victory” for freedom of expression.
He further mentioned that channels run by other journalists will remain active after court’s ruling. He thanked Imaan Z. Hazir, and other legal team for their legal efforts and support.
Despite little relief, the case remains open-ended. It is unclear whether the FIA will file an appeal or pursue additional charges under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws.
