Supreme Court hints at shutting down YouTube

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has taken notice of objectionable content on social media platforms.

The court heard on Wednesday a case against Shaukat Ali involved in a sectarian crime. Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin and Justice Mushir Alam were on the bench hearing the case.

While hinting at shutting down YouTube in Pakistan, Justice Qazi Amin remarked, “We are not against freedom of expression and people have the right to discuss our decisions as we take salaries from public money.”

He added that the Constitution also grants us the right to privacy. “YouTube and social media users are targeting our families,” he further stated. He said the masses were being provoked against the judiciary and other state institutions of the country.

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Justice Mushir Alam remarked that YouTube is closed in many countries. “Content against the United States and the European Union should be displayed on YouTube. In many countries, social media is regulated under local laws,” he stated.

Justice Qazi Amin Ahmed asked how many people were prosecuted for such crimes. The judge remarked that people are being incited against the army, judiciary, and government.

It must be noted that the video app Bigo and online game PubG are banned in the country. The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has taken this step following complaints of displaying immoral and obscene material. The PTA has also issued a final warning to the video app Tik Tok.