NEW DELHI: In a significant move amid rising diplomatic tensions, India on Friday blocked access to the official YouTube channel of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, citing concerns related to national security and public order.
Visitors attempting to access the channel in India were met with a message stating: “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order.” The notification referred users to Google’s Transparency Report for more information on government takedown requests.
This marks the highest-profile account blocked by India in recent weeks, following similar actions against the YouTube channels of Pakistan’s Finance Minister Khawaja Asif and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army.
The Indian government has widened its crackdown to include not only political leaders but also Pakistani sportspersons, social media influencers, journalists, and entertainment figures. The move comes in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians—mostly tourists—were killed.
In response, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting intensified efforts to curb disinformation and anti-India propaganda originating from across the border. Using emergency powers under the Information Technology Act, it ordered the blocking of multiple YouTube channels and social media profiles found to be spreading misleading or inflammatory content.
Notable blocked accounts include those of former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, journalist Arzoo Kazmi, commentator Syed Muzammil Shah, Olympian Arshad Nadeem, and ex-cricketer Shahid Afridi. Channels such as DuniyaMeryAagy, Ghulam Nabi Madni, HAQEEQAT TV, and HAQEEQAT TV 2.0 have also been restricted within India.
On April 30, the Instagram profiles of popular Pakistani actresses Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan were also blocked from being viewed in India.
Officials stated that the blocked accounts were part of coordinated networks disseminating fake news and inflammatory narratives related to the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s foreign policy.
These sweeping measures are part of a broader national security strategy aimed at preserving public order and combating cross-border information warfare.
Read also: https://newsonthego.in/us-backs-india-strongly-after-pahalgam-attack-pm-modi-has-our-full-support/
