In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, the Indian government has taken a significant step by banning several Pakistani YouTube channels, including those of former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. The move is part of a broader series of actions against Pakistan in response to the attack, which left 26 people dead and many others injured.
Among the banned channels are prominent Pakistani news outlets like Dawn News, ARY News, Samaa TV, and Geo News. The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs recommended the ban, citing that these channels were spreading provocative, communally sensitive content, along with false narratives and misinformation targeting India, its military, and security agencies following the Pahalgam attack.
When trying to access the banned channels, YouTube users in India are met with a message reading: “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order.” The message also includes a link to Google’s Transparency Report for more details on government removal requests.
This action is part of India’s ongoing response to the Pahalgam attack. In addition to the YouTube channel bans, the Indian government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, and closed the Attari border. The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made the decision just one day after the attack.
In retaliation, Pakistan has suspended the Simla Agreement and severed all bilateral agreements with India.
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