Former Pakistan PM Khan accuses government of blocking YouTube to censor his speech

Record ID: 1685628

  • Title: Former Pakistan PM Khan accuses government of blocking YouTube to censor his speech
  • Date: 21st August 2022
  • Summary: IMRAN KHAN WITH PARTY LEADERS WAVING TO CROWD CROWD WAVNG FLAGS CROWD/LEADERS ON STAGE
  • Embargoed: 4th September 2022 23:37
  • Keywords: Pakistani PM blocking youtube speech
  • Location: RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / INTERNET
  • City: RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / INTERNET
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA004979321082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan accused the government of temporarily blocking YouTube in the country on Sunday (August 21) evening to prevent people from listening live to a speech he gave at a political rally.
    The accusation came after Pakistan's electronic media regulator late on Saturday (August 20) announced a ban on the live airing of Khan's speeches because of what it called his "hate speech" against state institutions.
    "Imported govt blocked YouTube midway through my speech," Khan said on Twitter.
    A spokesman for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, which regulates the internet in the country, did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.
    Khan has been pushing for new elections in Pakistan after being ousted from power in April through a parliamentary vote. He has been delivering fiery speeches at gatherings across the country.
    The television ban came a day after Khan hurled threats against Islamabad's police chief and a female judge for what he claimed was the arrest and alleged torture of his close aide who is facing sedition charges.
    His aide had called on lower and middle ranks of the military to defy orders from the top brass.
    On Sunday Islamabad police booked Khan for threatening police officials and a judicial magistrate under sections of the anti-terrorism act.
    (Production: Salman Rao, Shahab Shahabuddin)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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