The Indian government on Monday ordered the blocking of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading “false, provocative, and communally sensitive” narratives against India, with the channel of former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar also appearing to be impacted.
Although Akhtar’s channel was not explicitly named in the official list, attempting to access it from India displays a message: “This content is currently unavailable in this country due to a government order related to national security or public order.”
The action comes following recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs after the deadly terror attack on April 22 in the upper reaches of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, were killed.
The banned channels include prominent Pakistani media outlets and personalities such as Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY News, BOL News, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News, and Razi Naama.
According to officials quoted by PTI, “On the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India has banned Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading provocative, communally sensitive content, and false and misleading narratives against India, its Army, and security agencies, following the Pahalgam terror attack.”
Background: The Pahalgam Attack
On Tuesday, a group of terrorists targeted tourists in a meadow near Pahalgam, leaving 26 dead and several others injured. The incident triggered nationwide outrage.
In response, the Indian government announced a series of measures including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and visa cancellations for Pakistani citizens. Islamabad, in retaliation, threatened to withdraw from all bilateral agreements with India and has reportedly violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) over the past four days by targeting Indian positions.