Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday (today), revoked its ban on popular Chinese video sharing application TikTok.
SHC heard the case against on TikTok ban and directed Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to unblock the app across the country
The court revoked its June 28th decision to ban popular video sharing platform TikTok in Pakistan.
Furthermore, PTA has been directed to decide the petitioner’s complaint against the app until July 5.
The development comes as SHC on Monday June 28th earlier this week had banned TikTok across Pakistan in response to the petition that was filed accusing TikTok of spreading vulgarity by celebrating LGBT-Pride Month.
TikTok recently started social media campaign celebrating ‘LGBT-Pride Month’ which was in violation of Pakistani law and basic injunctions of Islam and culture of Pakistan. TikTok failed to by ‘the constant undertakings and assurances’ given by it before various courts and the PTA to block accounts spreading vulgarity, the court had remarked.
The first time TikTok was banned in Pakistan was back in October 9th 2020 last year when PTA had banned the video sharing platform across Pakistan on over circulation of immoral and indecent content.
However, the ban was lifted on October 19th 2020 after successful negotiations between Pakistani authorities and TikTok management over removal of objectionable content and relevant censorship.
TikTok Facing Scrutiny In Pakistan
TikTok has faced significant opposition, criticism from various sections of Pakistani society who have accused the popular Chinese owned app of promoting vulgarity, indecency and content that contradicts traditional values and ethics.
Pertaining to public’s overwhelming opposition, PTA had banned TikTok last year.
“In view of number of complaints from different segments of the society against immoral/indecent content on the video sharing application TikTok, PTA has issued instructions for blocking of the application,” read the official press-release issued by the regulatory authority.
The ban had revived mixed responses, with some praising and supporting PTA’s ban while some criticizing it and demanded for a much efficient and extensive ‘censorship’ and establishment of filter mechanism to neutralize the immoral content being circulated and propagated.
