India bans 16 Pakistani YouTube channels after Pahalgam attack, here's what government order says

In a major move aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation and protecting national security, the Indian government on Monday announced a ban on 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. These channels were reportedly disseminating provocative, communally sensitive content as well as spreading false and misleading narratives against India. Acting on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued the blocking orders.

Notable channels impacted by the ban include prominent Pakistani media outlets such as Dawn News, Samaa TV, Ary News, Geo News, and individual creators like former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. Indian viewers attempting to access these channels now receive a notice stating that the content has been restricted due to a government order related to national security or public order. This development follows a series of escalating diplomatic actions taken by India against Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, highlighting a tightening of national security measures.


Details of the ban on Pakistani YouTube channels

The 16 Pakistani YouTube channels were found to be consistently promoting content that could incite communal disharmony within India and mislead the public by spreading false information. The Ministry of Home Affairs, after detailed scrutiny, identified these platforms as threats to India's internal security and social order. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting then directed YouTube to block access to these channels for Indian users under the provisions of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

YouTube, complying with the directive, now displays a message that reads: "This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order." Viewers seeking further information are redirected to the Google Transparency Report.


Escalating diplomatic measures against Pakistan

The YouTube channel ban is part of a broader set of measures India has recently undertaken against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Among the most notable actions are:

• Expulsion of Pakistani military attaches: Indian authorities expelled Pakistani military officials stationed in India, citing security concerns.

• Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: India halted the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, a historic agreement mediated by the World Bank concerning the sharing of river waters.

• Closure of the Attari land transit post: The border transit post at Attari, Punjab, a key link for cross-border trade and travel, has been shut down.

• Visa suspension for Pakistani nationals: All visa categories for Pakistani citizens have been suspended with immediate effect. Individuals currently in India have been instructed to leave the country by April 27, 2025. Medical visas will remain valid until April 29, after which they too will be revoked.

• Advisory for Indian nationals in Pakistan: The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian citizens residing or traveling in Pakistan to return at the earliest possible opportunity.

These measures were taken following deliberations by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the country's highest decision-making body on national security matters.


Pakistan’s response and calls for international investigation

Pakistan has categorically denied any involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack and has called for an independent international investigation into the incident. In official statements, Pakistan urged Russia, China, and other Western nations to intervene and oversee the inquiry. Islamabad has also criticized India's diplomatic actions, calling them unilateral and unjustified.


NIA takes over Pahalgam terror attack investigation

Following the directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally taken over the investigation into the Pahalgam attack . The NIA has registered a case in Jammu and has deployed multiple teams to intensify the probe. The agency is collecting forensic evidence, examining digital footprints, and interviewing eyewitnesses to uncover the wider conspiracy behind the attack.

According to preliminary reports, the attack in Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam, was one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama strike that claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. It is also among the most serious attacks in the region since the abrogation of Article 370, which ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019.


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