India Blocks Several Pakistani YouTube Channels Following Pahalgam Terror Attack

In a significant escalation of non-military measures against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has ordered the blocking of several Pakistani YouTube channels within India, including that of former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar.

Rationale Behind the Ban

The move, based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was triggered by concerns that these channels were disseminating "provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives, and misinformation against India, its Army, and its security agencies," officials stated.

The Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred on April 22 and claimed 26 lives while injuring many others, has prompted a series of stringent non-military responses from India. The government emphasized that the action against Pakistani digital platforms is aligned with efforts to safeguard national security and public order.

Users attempting to access the banned channels in India are now greeted with a notice from YouTube stating:
"This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order. For more details about government removal requests, please visit the Google Transparency Report."

List of Pakistani YouTube Channels Now Blocked in India

The list of blocked channels includes prominent names from Pakistan’s media, sports, and entertainment sectors:

• Shoaib Akhtar (@ShoaibAkhtar100mph)

• ARY News (@ArynewsTvofficial)

• Dawn News (@dawnnewspakistan)

• BOL News (@BOLNewsofficial)

• SAMAA TV (@Samaatv)

• Geo News (@geonews)

• GEO SUPER (@GeoSuper)

• Caught Behind (@CaughtBehindShow)

• A Sports (@ASportspk)

• Sana Amjad (@SanaAmjad)

• Sawera Pasha (@SaweraPasha1)

• CBA – Arsalan Naseer (@arsalancba)

• Rizwan Haider (@RizwanHaider1)

• Basit Ali (@BasitAliShow)

• Arzoo Kazmi (@ArzuKazmi)

• Others from the sports and commentary ecosystem, including multiple channels associated with Raftar and GNN, as well as political commentators like Asma Shirazi (@AsmaShiraziofficial) and Muneeb Farooq (@muneebfarooqofficial).

Broader Measures Against Pakistan

The blocking of these digital platforms forms part of a broader strategic response undertaken by India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Other measures already implemented include:

• Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

• Revocation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals.

• Immediate closure of the Attari land border crossing.

These decisions were finalized by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an emergency meeting convened on April 23.

In retaliation, Pakistan announced the suspension of the Simla Agreement and terminated all remaining bilateral agreements with India, deepening the diplomatic standoff between the two countries.

As tensions continue to rise, both nations appear set on a path of hardened diplomatic and non-military confrontation, with the digital sphere becoming an increasingly active front in the broader conflict.