The central government has officially blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading “provocative and communally sensitive content”.
Following “an order from the government related to national security or public order” in the wake of the Pahalgam terror incidents, the YouTube feeds of former Pakistani cricket players Shoaib Akhtar and Basit Ali were restricted in India on Monday.
16 Pakistani YouTube channels were formally blocked by the central government for allegedly sharing “provocative and communally sensitive content.” Despite not being on the government-issued list, Akhtar and Ali’s channels appeared to be impacted by the directive as well.
The other Pakistani channels that are prohibited in India are: Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, and Geo News.Upon accessing the channels, a YouTube message read, “This content is currently unavailable in this country due to an order from the government related to national security or public order.”PTI cited officials as saying, “The Government of India has banned Pakistani YouTube channels on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs for disseminating false and misleading narratives, misinformation, and provocative and communally sensitive content against India, its Army, and security agencies in the backdrop of the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir.”A well-known former bowler, Akhtar is well-liked by Indian cricket fans for his insightful and frequently amusing commentary on global cricket matters. Similar content may be found on the channel of Basit, a former coach for Pakistan.
Tragically, 26 persons were killed in a terrorist attack in a meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir last Tuesday, including 25 Indians and one Nepali.The Indian government has responded to this incident by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and revoked Pakistani nationals’ visas, among other measures.
