In a decisive move, the Indian government on Monday banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading provocative, communal, and misleading content aimed at targeting India’s security forces and national unity. The action came shortly after the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recommended the ban after investigating the role of these channels in promoting false narratives following the Pahalgam attack. Officials stated that the misinformation posed a serious threat to India’s national security, public order, and foreign relations.
The banned YouTube channels include several prominent Pakistani media outlets and personalities, such as:
Dawn News
Irshad Bhatti
SAMAA TV
ARY News
BOL News
Raftar
The Pakistan Reference
Geo News
Samaa Sports
GNN
Uzair Cricket
Umar Cheema Exclusive
Asma Shirazi
Muneeb Farooq
SUNO News HD
Razi Naama
These platforms were collectively reaching a cumulative viewership exceeding 63.08 million viewers.
According to government sources, the banned channels were heavily involved in spreading unverified and false information on sensitive topics including:
The Indian Army’s activities
The situation in Jammu and Kashmir
India’s foreign policy stances
Internal law and order issues
The content was seen as an attempt to create panic, fuel communal tensions, and disrupt public peace across the country.
In the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched a strong diplomatic protest. Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, was summoned by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. India also issued a Persona Non Grata notice to all Pakistani military attachés stationed in the capital.
The attack, believed to have been carried out by the Pakistan-based terror outfit The Resistance Front, has sharply escalated tensions between the two countries. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced a series of strong retaliatory steps, including:
Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan
Closure of the Attari-Wagah border crossing
Cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals
Expulsion of all Pakistani military attachés from New Delhi
Reduction of diplomatic staff at both the Indian and Pakistani High Commissions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly assault on innocent civilians.” He emphasized that India would not tolerate terrorism sponsored from across the border and would take all necessary steps to safeguard national interests.
The blocking of these 16 YouTube channels reflects India's increasingly assertive stance in the digital space against cross-border misinformation and hybrid warfare tactics. Officials stress that the government remains committed to countering any form of propaganda that seeks to destabilize India's internal security and social harmony.
Conclusion
The Indian government's ban on 16 Pakistani YouTube channels marks a firm stand against misinformation campaigns that threaten national security and social harmony. By swiftly acting after the Pahalgam terror attack, India has sent a clear message that it will not tolerate provocative narratives designed to destabilize the country.
As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, the focus remains on safeguarding the nation’s interests—both on the ground and across digital platforms. Moving forward, India’s proactive measures against disinformation and cross-border threats will be critical in maintaining internal stability and protecting its citizens.