An Islamabad judicial magistrate on Tuesday approved the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) request to block 27 YouTube channels allegedly disseminating content deemed anti-state. Magistrate Abbas Shah issued the order after the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing presented evidence showing violations of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025 and other penal laws. The court found the material punishable under current legislation and directed YouTube’s parent company Google LLC to immediately restrict access to the flagged channels.
The FIA had launched its investigation on June 2, 2025, identifying multiple channels accused of uploading prohibited content. In its written order, the court referenced Section 94 of the Criminal Procedure Code as legal basis for the blocking directive. This marks one of the most significant crackdowns since the controversial PECA amendments took effect in January 2025, which empowered authorities to act against “false information” within 24 hours of complaints.
The strengthened cyber laws have faced fierce opposition from opposition parties, journalist unions, and human rights organizations. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has demanded complete repeal of PECA 2025, citing its potential for misuse against free speech. Earlier this year, journalists Farhan Mallick and Waheed Murad became the first high-profile arrests under the amended law, sparking nationwide protests from media groups.
Legal experts warn the broad definitions in PECA 2025 could enable suppression of dissent, while government defenders argue it’s necessary to combat digital misinformation. As Pakistan navigates this contentious balance between national security and press freedoms, the YouTube blockade order sets a precedent for how aggressively the new cyber regime will be enforced moving forward. International platforms like Google now face increasing pressure to comply with Pakistan’s evolving digital governance framework.