India has blocked access to several prominent Pakistani entertainment channels on YouTube, including ARY Digital, Har Pal Geo, and Hum TV.
The crackdown reportedly follows a recommendation from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs and comes in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam incident.
Indian users attempting to view content from the blocked channels are now met with the message: “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order.”
These Pakistani entertainment channels, known for their gripping serials, cultural resonance, and strong fan bases, had amassed millions of viewers in India over the years. Fans on social media have expressed disappointment, with many calling the ban an unnecessary politicization of art and culture.
This latest action follows a pattern of growing digital restrictions between the two countries. Earlier, Instagram also limited access to the profiles of several Pakistani celebrities and influencers—including Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar—for users in India. A legal request was reportedly behind the block, with Instagram citing compliance related to content regulation.
The move mirrors previous actions by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which had already banned access to major Pakistani news outlets like Express News, Dawn News, Geo News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and even content creators like former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar.
The restriction on entertainment content, long seen as a cultural bridge between the two nations, has drawn criticism from advocates of free speech and regional harmony. Critics argue that while governments may clash over politics, censoring art only fuels further division between the people of both countries.