Panicked India bans 16 Pakistani YouTube channels

ISLAMABAD: In a controversial move, India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, claiming they were spreading provocative content after the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to Indian media reports, the banned channels, with a combined 63 million subscribers, were blocked on the recommendation of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

The list includes major Pakistani news outlets such as Dawn, Geo News, ARY News, Bol News, Samaa TV, Suno News, and Raftar. YouTube channels of prominent journalists, including Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq, were also banned.

Other platforms such as The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket, and Razi Naama were similarly targeted.

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Users trying to access the Pakistani banned YouTube channels from India are now met with a message stating that the content is “unavailable in this country due to an order from the government related to national security or public order,” directing them to Google’s Transparency Report.

In addition, India issued a warning to the BBC over its coverage of the Kashmir attack. Indian authorities objected to a BBC headline stating, “Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists,” claiming it allegedly suggested India was responsible for the killings.

According to Indian sources, the External Publicity Department of the Ministry of External Affairs has conveyed its “strong sentiments” to Jackie Martin, India Head of BBC, over the reporting style. A formal letter has also been sent to the BBC, objecting to the use of the word “militants” for the attackers. Reports suggest India will continue monitoring BBC’s coverage closely.

This crackdown comes amid growing tensions in the region, following the April 22 attack in IIOJK.