Overview

• On July 8, a judicial magistrate granted the FIA Cyber Crime Wing authority to seek blocking of 27 channels accused of spreading fake and anti-state content.
• The list includes prominent journalists, commentators, political activists and the official Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party channel.
• Authorities cited alleged violations of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and the Pakistan Penal Code following a June 2 inquiry into national security threats.
• YouTube has begun emailing affected creators with warnings that content may be restricted or removed if the government complaint is not addressed.
• This move builds on May’s PTA bans of 16 news channels and reflects an expanding trend of state-led digital censorship in Pakistan.