Syed Saif Ul Hassan 
Sep 27, 2025
In a move widening room for streaming services to thrive in Pakistan, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a petition seeking to regulate streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Behind the ruling in favour of the globally popular streaming platforms, the LHC stated that current laws do not apply to such digital services.
Justice Raheel Kamran Shaikh issued a detailed 20-page verdict in response to a petition lodged by a private company. The Punjab government, represented by Assistant Advocate General Muhammad Usman Khan, opposed the request.
The petitioner argued that since cinema content is regulated, streaming platforms should be treated similarly. However, the court rejected this idea in the wake of the overwhelming amount of content on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, making censorship practically impossible.
The court pointed out that the Motion Picture Ordinance of 1979 was created long before the digital age and is only relevant to films displayed in cinemas.
It was also clarified that the law — making no mention of online streaming services, which did not even exist at the time — was meant to regulate movies released in theatres.
After the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the responsibility for censor boards was transferred to provincial governments. Each province created its own Motion Picture Act, covering television and stage dramas; however, none introduced laws specifically for social media or streaming platforms.
Justice Shaikh concluded that online streaming in Pakistan is operated under a different model than traditional cinemas, implying that it's inappropriate to apply old laws to it.
