September 7, 2022 – YouTube faced disruptions in many parts of Pakistan on Tuesday during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan’s address in Peshawar. A number of users took to Twitter and complained that they could not access the website.
The disruption was confirmed by NetBlocks, an organisation that tracks connectivity outages. NetBlocks stated that the incident was similar to the earlier disruption that occurred in August during Khan’s address at a rally in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh. It said that the disruption came despite the Islamabad High Court (IHC) lifting the ban on live telecast of Khan’s speech, which was imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on August 21.
⚠️ Confirmed: Metrics corroborate reports of a new disruption to YouTube in #Pakistan; the incident comes as former PM Imran Khan appears on screen to live stream a speech on the platform, following a pattern observed in August #PeshawarJalsa
📰 Report: https://t.co/mFBehYjlnY pic.twitter.com/4xawM6rTRy
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) September 6, 2022
“NetBlocks recommends against the use of network disruptions and social media restrictions to limit political speech, given their disproportionate impact to fundamental rights including freedom of expression and freedom [of] assembly.”
NetBlocks confirmed that the access was restored after Khan’s speech concluded.
PTI leaders such as Shireen Mazari and Chaudhry Fawad Hussain condemned the disruption, accusing the government of using “cyber warfare against its own people”.
“So YouTube blocked again suddenly by this fascist imported govt and its handlers. Really sick mindsets,” Mazari tweeted. “IK speech will be heard one way or another you petty frightened political pygmies. Never thought state would use cyber warfare against its own people!”
So YouTube blocked again suddenly by this fascist Imported govt and its handlers. Really sick mindsets. IK speech will be heard one way or another you petty frightened political pygmies. Never thought State would use cyber warfare against its own people! Shameful. #EnoughlsEnough
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) September 6, 2022
Pakistan is now officially turned into a Banana republic all channels banned to telecast @ImranKhanPTI speech and PTA has blocked @YouTube in Pakistan
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 6, 2022
On August 21, PEMRA prohibited TV channels from airing the speech of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan live, citing “hate speech against state institutions”. Later, reports of disruptions in YouTube service emerged during Khan’s address to his followers in Rawalpindi. It was roundly condemned online, with many people calling it an attack on freedom of speech and violation of the Constitution.
