Startled India bans prominent Pakistani YouTube channels

ISLAMABAD: Startled India in another controversial move, has banned prominent Pakistani YouTube channels, stating that these YouTube channels were promoting provocative content in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and  Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to Indian media, the ban came into effect on the recommendations of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. The banned YouTube channels have more than 63 million subscribers.

According to the list of major Pakistani news organizations, including Dawn, Geo News, ARY News, Bol News, Samaa TV, Suno News, and Raftar, have been banned in India.

Additionally, YouTube channels of prominent journalists YouTube channels including Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq, are also prohibited.

Other websites that got hit by India included the Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket, and Razi Naama.

According to the details, when users in India try to access these channels, they see a message stating the content is “unavailable in this country due to an order from the government related to national security or public order,” referencing Google’s Transparency Report.

In addition to blocking YouTube channels, India has also warned the BBC about its coverage of the Kashmir attack. The Indian government objected to a BBC headline suggesting India was responsible for the killings and took issue with the use of the term “militants” to describe the attackers. A formal letter has been sent to the BBC, and India will continue to monitor their reporting closely.

These actions come amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with India suspending the Indus Water Treaty and visa services for Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has responded by suspending visas for Indians.