India Blocks 16 Pakistan YouTube Channels

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sixteen Pakistani YouTube channels, with a combined total of 63 million subscribers, have been banned in India for disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content following the Pahalgam terror attack. 

The ban was implemented based on recommendations from the Union Home Ministry, reported NDTV.

The banned channels include prominent news outlets such as Dawn, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Raftar, Geo News, and Suno News. 

Additionally, the YouTube channels of journalists Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq have been blocked. 

Other affected channels include The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket, and Razi Naama.

According to NDTV, government sources indicate that these channels were spreading false and misleading narratives against India, its Army, and security agencies amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam tragedy, where 25 tourists and a Kashmiri were killed by terrorists.

Accessing these channels now displays a message stating that the content is unavailable due to a government order related to national security or public order.

In response to the Pahalgam attack, India has taken several measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty and visa services for Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has asserted its right to suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed severe punishment for those involved in the April 22 attack. He emphasized that India will identify and punish every terrorist and their supporters.

The Indian government has also issued a warning to the BBC over a headline that read, "Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists." 

Source: NDTV