Pakistan Bans 27 YouTube Channels Over ‘Anti-State’ Content

An Islamabad court has ordered the blocking of 27 Pakistani YouTube channels accused of spreading “anti-state,” misleading, and provocative content. The decision follows a petition filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which found these channels responsible for sharing false information, defaming state institutions, and inciting public unrest.

The banned channels include prominent journalists, political commentators, and opposition voices, such as Imran Riaz Khan, Moeed Pirzada, Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor, and channels linked to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The court’s order cited violations of Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and emphasized the threat posed to public peace and national unity.

YouTube has reportedly notified affected creators about the legal removal requests and warned that non-compliance would lead to channel suspension within Pakistan. The ban has sparked debate over press freedom and government censorship, with critics accusing authorities of silencing dissent ahead of upcoming political events.

The NCCIA’s inquiry began in June 2025 after receiving multiple complaints about the channels’ content, which allegedly included anti-state narratives, privacy violations of officials, and calls for unrest. Officials maintain the action is necessary to safeguard national security and public order.

This move marks one of the most significant crackdowns on digital media in Pakistan, highlighting ongoing tensions between the government and independent media voices in the country.

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