Government has revoked ban on popular Chinese video sharing app ‘TikTok’ after three weeks on court orders.
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain – Federal Minister for Science and Technology on Thursday (today) took to social media to announce that government has revoked its ban on TikTok on Peshawar High Court (PHC) orders.
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Peshawar High Court has suspended the operation of single bench judgement,ban TikTokhas been lifted, he tweeted.
The federal minister noted that decisions need to be made considering the fact that may affect economic future of Pakistan.
Pesh HC has suspended the operation of single bench judgement,ban on @TikTok_Paki has been lifted,my submission is lets be very careful while taking decisions that may effect Economic future of Pak,we need a framework to encourage int companies so to make Pak their investment hub
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 1, 2021
Furthermore, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain underscored the provision of a framework aimed at encouraging international companies to invest in Pakistan.
During today’s hearing, PTA DG reassured Chief Justice PHC Qaiser Rashid Khan that the regulatory body will monitor all the immoral and illegal things being uploaded on TikTok.
PTA has asked TikTok administration to block such users who are guilty of uploading immoral and inappropriate content on multiple occasions.
In response, PHC allowed the government to lift its ban on popular Chinese video sharing app.
“Open TikTok but immoral content should not be uploaded,” read the court verdict.
In a statement, TikTok has welcomed court’s decision regarding lifting on ban while praising PTA’s role in ensuring a productive dialogue regarding the issue and regularization of online content.
We are pleased that TikTok is once again available to our community in Pakistan. This is a testament to TikTok’s continued commitment to enforcing our community guidelines to promote a safe and positive community online, read the official statment.
It is to be noted that government had banned TikTok on light of March 11th PHC verdict.
The court had contended that videos and content being circulated on TikTok are ‘unacceptable’ to our society and they are promoting ‘vulgarity’ and indecency, said the PHC verdict.
Read More: TikTok Reveals New Policy For Users Under 18 Years Old
PTA had banned TikTok across Pakistan on October 9th 2020 last year 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’s Under ‘Spotlight’ 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.
