'Unethical content': Sindh High Court bans TikTok as of July 8

The court issued the order on a petition filed by a citizen dejected by the "immorality and obscenity" spread by content on popular video-​sharing mobile application.

The PTA has been directed to suspend the app until the next hearing of the case. The hearing will be resumed on July 8.

The court in its order stated that TikTok had not abided by "the constant undertakings and assurances" given by it before various courts and the PTA to block accounts spreading vulgarity.

The social media app also failed to respect the law and basic injunctions of Islam as well as the culture of Pakistan and recently began a social media campaign whereby they are celebrating 'LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Pride Month'", the order added.

In October 2020, the PTA had banned TikTok for the first time over complaints regarding indecent and immoral content.

The government lifted ban 10 days later after assurance from the management that they would block all accounts repeatedly involved in spreading obscenity and immorality.

In its tweet the PTA had said "TikTok will moderate the account[s] in accordance with local laws".

In March, the PTA had directed internet service providers to immediately block access to TikTok in accordance with the orders of the Peshawar High Court.

The PHC had imposed a temporary ban on the platform's functioning in the country on a petition filed by several citizens stating that the content shared on the application were in violation of Pakistan’s Constitution, guaranteeing social and moral well-being of citizens.

The ban, however, was lifted by the PHC a few weeks later, with a direction to the PTA to take steps to ensure that "immoral content" was not uploaded to the platform.

Application to ban TikTok moved in SC 

Earlier in the day, an application was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a ban on Tiktok.

Ali Zeb of Pakpattan said that TikTok was promoting crime, with people using drugs and weapons and uploading videos, while the use of TikTok in educational institutions is leading to a bad environment for the students

The petitioner said individuals are making recordings of endeavors like an attempt of suicide to get views on TikTok, and that the content on it is against the Islamic laws of Pakistan.