Following the unfortunate Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including a Nepalese citizen, the Indian government has acted swiftly to stop the spread of misinformation and inflammatory content. One of the steps taken is the blocking of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including that of ex-Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar.

The Ministry of Home Affairs suggested the ban based on concerns regarding the spread of inflammatory and communally sensitive material, false narratives, and disinformation aimed at India, its Army, and security agencies. This action seeks to preclude the instigation of communal tensions and maintain national security following the Pahalgam attack.

Shoaib Akhtar's sports analysis and commentary channel on YouTube was also blocked. Although Akhtar's videos were mostly sports-related, his channel was added to the ban as part of the larger effort to contain the dissemination of potentially provocative content during a sensitive time. To date, Akhtar has made no public statement about the ban.

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Major Pakistani news channels blocked in India

These blocked channels collectively have about 63 million subscribers and include Pakistani news giants such as Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, Geo News, and Bol News. Channel owners who operate as individual creators like Wasay Habib, Arzoo Kazmi, and Syed Muzammil Shah also have their channels blocked for the Indian audience. Indian audiences trying to view these channels are greeted with a message saying that the material is not available because of a government directive regarding national security or public order.

This step is in line with a series of security and diplomatic steps initiated by India following the Pahalgam attack. Other actions include suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for the Pakistani nationals, shutting down the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and cutting the diplomatic staff at both countries' high commissions.The Indian government's crackdown on such YouTube channels demonstrates its resolve to battle against false news spread and national security. In action against such channels carrying inciting material, authorities want to prevent the surfacing of communal tensions and maintain public order in the times of sensitive post-poll politics. In addtion to it, channels of famous youtuber Wassey Iffi along with Rizwan Haider are the ones banned by Indian Government. 

#Pahalgam These Pakistani YouTube channels have been banned by MHA for deciminating anti India content pic.twitter.com/sjROUSEoic

— Anupam Mishra (@Anupammishra777) April 28, 2025