JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 08, 2025 at 04:12 pm | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD – In a significant move raising concerns about press freedom and digital expression, the Government of Pakistan has filed a request in an Islamabad court seeking the removal or blocking of several prominent YouTube channels operated by well-known journalists and commentators. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA) has approached the court of a judicial magistrate, alleging that these YouTubers have been involved in spreading “false, misleading and fake information” targeting state institutions and government officials.
The request specifically asks the court to issue a “subpoena/warrant” to Google LLC, which operates YouTube, for the immediate removal or blocking of the channels listed in the application.
Among those named are high-profile journalists and vloggers, including Imran Riaz Khan, Aftab Iqbal, Orya Maqbool Jan, Habib Akram, Sabir Shakir, Arzoo Kazmi, Sabee Kazmi, Matiullah Jan, Moeed Pirzada, Ahmad Noorani, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Abdul Qadir, and Siddique Jan.
The petition claims: “The said YouTube channels are found involved in sharing highly intimidating, provocative and derogatory contents against state institutions and officials of the state of Pakistan.” It further alleges that the creators are attempting to “provoke the general public and armed forces personnel by trying to create a feeling of ill-will among pillars of the state.”
Additional names mentioned in the list include Haider Mehdi, Sajid Gondal, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Daily Qudrat, Nazar Chohan, and Shayan Ali.
The development has sparked debate over state censorship, freedom of speech, and the rights of journalists to critique those in power through digital platforms. It remains to be seen how the judiciary and Google LLC will respond to the NCCIA’s request.
اسلام آباد – پاکستان کی حکومت نے ممتاز صحافیوں اور تجزیہ کاروں کے یوٹیوب چینلز کے خلاف کارروائی کے لیے اسلام آباد کی ایک عدالت میں درخواست جمع کرائی ہے۔ قومی سائبر کرائم انویسٹی گیشن اتھارٹی نے یہ درخواست جوڈیشل مجسٹریٹ کی عدالت میں جمع کرائی ہے، جس میں ان یوٹیوبرز پر ریاستی اداروں اور اہلکاروں کے خلاف "جھوٹی، گمراہ کن اور جعلی معلومات" پھیلانے کا الزام عائد کیا گیا ہے۔
این سی سی آئی اے نے عدالت سے گوگل ایل ایل سی (یوٹیوب کی کمپنی) کے خلاف "سبپوینا/وارنٹ" جاری کرنے کی درخواست کی ہے تاکہ ان چینلز کو ہٹایا یا بلاک کیا جا سکے۔
درخواست میں جن معروف صحافیوں اور وی لاگرز کے نام شامل ہیں، ان میں عمران ریاض خان، آفتاب اقبال، اوریا مقبول جان، حبیب اکرم، صابر شاکر، ارضو کاظمی، صبی کاظمی، مطیع اللہ جان، صدیق جان، معید پیرزادہ، احمد نورانی، وجاہت سعید خان اور عبدالقادر شامل ہیں۔
درخواست میں کہا گیا ہے: "مذکورہ یوٹیوب چینلز ریاستی اداروں اور اہلکاروں کے خلاف انتہائی اشتعال انگیز، توہین آمیز اور خوفناک مواد شیئر کر رہے ہیں۔" مزید الزام عائد کیا گیا ہے کہ یہ یوٹیوبرز "عوام اور افواج پاکستان کے اہلکاروں کو اکسانے اور ریاست کے ستونوں کے درمیان بدگمانی پیدا کرنے کی کوشش کر رہے ہیں۔"
فہرست میں شامل دیگر یوٹیوبرز میں حیدر مہدی، ساجد گوندل، پاکستان تحریک انصاف، ڈیلی قدرت، نظر چوہان اور شایان علی کے نام بھی شامل ہیں۔
یہ پیش رفت آزادی اظہار، ریاستی سنسرشپ، اور صحافیوں کے حقوق کے حوالے سے نئی بحث چھیڑ سکتی ہے۔ اب دیکھنا یہ ہے کہ عدالت اور گوگل اس درخواست پر کیا ردعمل دیتے ہیں۔
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