TikTok back in Pakistan after court revokes ban

TIKTOK was running again in Pakistan on Saturday (3) after a provincial court lifted the suspension of the popular social media app but ordered it to address complaints that it hosted objectionable content.

The Pakistan Telecoms Authority (PTA) blocked access to the Chinese-owned app on Thursday (1) for a third time after a ruling by a Sindh court hearing a private citizen's petition against it.

Advocates of freedom of speech have long criticised the creeping government censorship and control of Pakistan's internet and media.

TikTok's huge fan base in Pakistan, many of whom use it to market their goods online, also slammed the suspension of the video-sharing platform.

But its critics in the deeply conservative Muslim nation say it promotes “vulgarity and LGBTQ content”.

TikTok was shut down twice before in Pakistan because of alleged "indecent" videos - most recently in March, after which the platform pledged a better moderation.

It said on Wednesday (30) that it had removed more than six million videos from its Pakistan service in the past three months alone - around 15 per cent featuring "adult nudity and sexual activities".

A PTA official said the court had on Friday revoked its earlier order banning the app, and users confirmed it was running again.

Still, even senior Pakistan officials appeared confused by the turn of events.

"I am baffled after reading... verdict on suspension of TikTok," information minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.