India banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels following the fatal Pahalgam terror attack, in which terrorists gunned down 25 tourists and a Kashmiri local. Following the Union Home Ministry’s suggestion, authorities acted swiftly in blocking provocative, fake, and anti-India content.
Top Pakistani YouTube Channels Blocked
The list of banned channels features top news channels such as Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Geo News, and Suno News.
YouTube channels of reporters Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq were also blocked by authorities.
Other blocked channels are The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket, and Razi Naama.
The channels were accused by the officials of circulating fake news, anti-India propaganda, and communal disinformation following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Anyone attempting to view these channels receives this message:
“This material is not available in this nation due to a government order about national security or public order.”
Increased India-Pakistan Tensions Following Pahalgam Attack
The country reacted to the attack by suspending the Indus Water Treaty and shutting down visa services for Pakistani citizens.
Pakistan responded by vowing to scrap all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed tough action against the perpetrators.
“Enemies struck at India’s soul, but they can never shatter the resolve of 140 crore Indians. We will eliminate all terror nests,” he added.
BBC Under Fire Over Coverage
The Indian government also criticized the BBC for a headline implying India was behind the Kashmir attack.
The Ministry of External Affairs expressed India’s strong protests to Jackie Martin, the BBC’s India Head.
The officials warned that they will strictly monitor BBC’s future coverage of India-Pakistan affairs.
