ISLAMABAD: India has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, accusing them of spreading misinformation, after their coverage of the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The decision was taken on the recommendation of the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, according to official sources.
The action comes after the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, mostly tourists. Indian authorities have alleged cross-border linkages to the incident without providing credible evidence.
Pakistan has strongly denied Indian allegations and called for a neutral investigation to expose Indian propaganda.
The banned channels, which included major news outlets and independent journalist platforms, had been reporting on discrepancies in the Indian government’s narrative surrounding the attack.
The affected channels include Geo News, ARY News, Samaa TV, Bol News, ShoaibAkhtar100mph, GNN, Dawn News TV, Suno News HD, Irshad Bhatti, Raftar, Muneeb Farooq, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Pakistan Reference, Uzair Cricket, Razi Nama, and Samaa Sports.
Indian officials claimed that the channels were spreading misleading information against the Indian government and military. However, no specific examples were cited in public statements.
A day after the Pahalgam incident on 23 April, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security approved measures including the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
In response, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) met on 24 April and warned that any attempt by India to block water flows into Pakistan would be considered an act of war.
The NSC also announced to closure of the Wagah border crossing with India.
The Senate of Pakistan unanimously passed a resolution on 25 April, rejecting India’s allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
The situation deteriorated further when the Pakistani High Commission in London was vandalised by Indian miscreants on 26 April.
According to the Metropolitan Police, two persons were arrested in connection with the vandalism, which caused property damage including broken windows and paint attacks.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information, Attaullah Tarar, condemned the incident, claiming that Indian state institutions were behind the vandalism.
