Pakistan asks YouTube to ban 27 critics’ channels, including Imran Khan’s PTI
Islamabad: YouTube, owned by the alphabet, has told more than two dozen critics of the Pakistani government that it is considering blocking their channels, as a local court had demanded a banning them to be “anti -state”.The channels that can be blocked include the main opposition party, its chief, former PM Imran Khan, and journalists on June 24, as per the court order, imprisoned the government’s critical journalists. The Judicial Magistrate Court in Islamabad said that the National Cyber Crime Investigation was demanding a ban after criticizing the channels in a report for “highly stimulating and derogatory materials against state institutions and Pakistan state officials. Rights preachers say any ban will reduce free speech in Pakistan, where officials are accused on newspapers and television, and social media is seen as one of some outlets for dissatisfaction. YouTube told 27 content creators that their channels can be taken down if they do not follow the court orders. State internal minister Talal Chaudhary said that the creators will also have to face criminal allegations. A spokesman for Khan’s PTI said, “This is not only about removing anchors or banning YouTube channels. This is what they are not allowing to explain and they are trying to hide the rights from the world.”(This is a Reuters Story)
