Pakistan Halts Indian Music on FM Radio Amid Rising Tensions

The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has imposed an immediate ban on airing Indian songs on FM radio stations across Pakistan, citing heightened tensions with India following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. The decision, announced on Thursday, was described by PBA Secretary General Shakeel Masood as a reflection of national sentiment amid the escalating diplomatic row.

Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Atta Tarar, praised the PBA’s move as a “patriotic gesture,” noting that it aligns with the country’s unified stance in response to the Pahalgam incident. Sources suggest the Pakistani government may have instructed the PBA to implement the blackout, though no official confirmation was provided. The ban follows India’s recent actions, including blocking 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, such as Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and Geo News, for allegedly spreading misinformation in the wake of the attack.

The Pahalgam attack has significantly strained India-Pakistan relations, prompting both nations to take retaliatory measures. India has restricted its airspace to Pakistani-registered aircraft until May 23, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, and closed the Attari-Wagah border. Additionally, several Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar, have had their Instagram accounts blocked in India, further intensifying the cultural and digital clampdown.

The PBA’s decision to halt Indian music, including popular Bollywood songs, marks another step in the tit-for-tat actions between the two neighbors. According to RT India, Pakistan’s government issued a notification on May 1 formalizing the radio ban, underscoring the deepening rift. As tensions persist, both nations continue to navigate the fallout from the Pahalgam tragedy, with cultural exchanges becoming a casualty of the broader geopolitical conflict.