KARACHI: TikTok was running again in Pakistan Saturday after a provincial court lifted suspension of the popular social media service but ordered it to address complaints that it hosted objectionable content.
The Pakistan Telecoms Authority (PTA) blocked access Thursday for a third time after a ruling by a Sindh court hearing a private citizen’s petition against the Chinese-owned app.
Freedom of speech advocates have long criticized creeping government censorship and control of Pakistan’s Internet and media.
TikTok’s suspension was slammed by the video sharing platform’s huge fan base in Pakistan, many of whom use it to market and sell goods online.
But its critics in the deeply conservative Muslim nation say it promotes vulgarity and LBGQT content.
TikTok has been shut down twice before in Pakistan because of alleged “indecent” videos — most recently in March, after which the platform pledged better moderation.
It said Wednesday it had removed more than six million videos from its Pakistan service in the past three months alone — around 15 percent featuring “adult nudity and sexual activities.”
A PTA official told AFP the court had Friday revoked its earlier order banning the app, and users confirmed it was running again.
Still, even senior Pakistan officials appeared confused by the to- and fro-ing.
“I am baffled after reading... verdict on suspension of TikTok,” Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.
TikTok back in Pakistan after court revokes ban
https://arab.news/brxau
TikTok back in Pakistan after court revokes ban
- Pakistan court revokes ban over TikTok but orderes the platform to address complaints.
- This was the third time TikTok was suspended in the country where many use the app to sell goods online.
Saudi Arabia strengthens global ranking in 2026 Soft Power Index
- UAE maintains 10th place, Qatar climbs 2 spots
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia climbed three positions to 17th place in this year’s Soft Power Index, released on Tuesday by marketing consultancy Brand Finance.
Other Gulf nations also performed well, with the UAE maintaining its 10th-place ranking and Qatar and Bahrain each climbing two spots to No. 20 and No. 49, respectively, marking a rebound for the region after a softer showing in 2025.
The report indicates that the performance reflects sustained investment in proactive diplomacy, economic diversification and expanded initiatives across culture, tourism and sports.
It also comes at a time when several Western powers are recording declines in their rankings, highlighting the growing influence of Gulf states.
“The UAE remains a clear regional leader, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar have strengthened their global positions through focused economic diplomacy and international engagement,” said Savio D’Souza, managing director for the Middle East and Africa, Brand Finance.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE either maintained or improved their rankings across all key pillars, including familiarity, reputation and influence.
The Kingdom recorded notable gains, with increases of 25 points in the People & Values pillar and 12 points in the Culture & Heritage pillar.
“Although perceptions across some markets remain mixed, renewed upward movement in the rankings suggests that targeted, long-term soft power strategies are beginning to pay off,” D’Souza said.
Globally, the US retained its top position despite recording the steepest overall decline in its score, followed by China in second place. Japan rose to third place, overtaking the UK, which ranked fourth, while Germany placed fifth.
Brand Finance defines “soft power” as a “nation’s ability to influence the preferences and behaviors of various actors in the international arena (states, corporations, communities, publics, etc.) through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion.”
Each nation is assessed across 55 individual metrics, producing an overall score out of 100 and a ranking from first to 193rd.
