YouTube blocked briefly during Imran Khan’s speech in Rawalpindi

• Imran Khan says move shows desperation of those who for their self-interest are willing to push Pakistan towards chaos.
• NetBlocks says “real-time network data” showed that disruption was seen on some but not all mobile and fixed-line internet providers.
• The blocking of YouTube was also confirmed by the Google-owned platform on Twitter.

YouTube was blocked on multiple internet providers “briefly” during PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s speech in Rawalpindi, confirmed internet tracking website NetBlocks.

“NetBlocks metrics confirm the disruption of YouTube on multiple internet providers in Pakistan on Sunday 21 August 2022,” said the watchdog in a statement. 

However, it noted that “real-time network data” showed that the disruption was seen on some but not all mobile and fixed-line internet providers in Pakistan during the live-streamed speech. It added that the “access was restored after the speech concluded”.

The move comes as a report published in The News revealed that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is planning curb PTI coverage on social media following PEMRA's ban on the Imran Khan's live coverage.

The blocking of YouTube was also confirmed by the Google-owned platform through its Twitter account “@TeamYouTube”.

On the other hand, PTI chairman Imran Khan said the move to block his speech midway on YouTube showed the “desperation of those who for their self-interest are willing to push Pakistan towards political and economic chaos”.

“After PEMRA blocked live transmission of my Pindi jalsa speech on TV channels, imported government blocked YouTube midway through my speech. This just shows the desperation of those who for their self-interest are willing to push Pakistan towards political and economic chaos,” tweeted the PTI chief.

The former prime minister also claimed that this was "not only a gross violation of freedom of speech but also negatively affects the digital media industry and the livelihoods of many". 

"What they need to understand is that no matter what they do, they cannot suppress the will of the people which is Haqeeqi Azadi," said the PTI chief.

However, the access of the website was not blocked for everyone.

Plan being hatched to crush PTI: Imran Khan

While addressing the publi gathering in Rawalpindi, PTI chairperson Imran Khan alleged that the coalition government is hatching a plan to crush his party, saying that they are afraid that he would take a two-thirds majority if elections are held.

Addressing a public gathering at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, the former prime minister reiterated that the only solution to bring the country out of a political crisis is transparent elections. 

"I am here today to begin my fight for real freedom," he said.

"Was I doing money laundering or buying houses outside of Pakistan? I only wanted an independent foreign policy," he said while questioning about his ouster.

The former premier said that he was removed because he didn't want Pakistan to take America's orders. 

"I did not want Pakistan to be a part of America's war or its involvement in any activity by the USA in Afghanistan," he added. Khan said that the country was led to destruction just for a few dollars.