By Asif Naveed
ISLAMABAD; The Islamabad District and Sessions Court on Thursday set aside a lower court’s ruling that had ordered the closure of several YouTube channels, granting relief to multiple journalists and digital content creators.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka announced the reserved verdict, accepting appeals filed by well-known journalists including Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor, Abdul Qadir, and others.
The case stemmed from an earlier decision of a judicial magistrate, who had directed the suspension of 27 YouTube channels over alleged violations. That ruling drew criticism from press freedom advocates, who argued it amounted to censorship of independent voices on digital platforms.
A total of 11 YouTubers challenged the magistrate’s order before the sessions court, seeking restoration of their channels and questioning the legality of the ban. The appeals argued that the magistrate had exceeded jurisdiction and failed to consider constitutional protections of free speech and media freedom.
In its judgment, the sessions court nullified the magistrate’s directive in respect of the 11 appeals under consideration. The decision is being seen as a significant development for digital journalism and content creators, who had raised concerns over increasing restrictions on online expression in Pakistan.
The court’s ruling may also influence the pending cases of the remaining YouTubers, as it establishes a precedent regarding the limits of judicial authority in ordering the suspension of digital platforms.
