Pakistani YouTube channels blocked in India for exposing Pahalgam attack narrative
India has blocked more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels, following their coverage of the Pahalgam incident.
The channels were reporting on the Pahalgam attack and had exposed discrepancies in the Modi government's narrative regarding the events, prompting Indian authorities to accuse the Pakistani channels of spreading "misleading and provocative content."
Other affected channels include independent journalist platforms and thematic channels.
Indian authorities alleged that these channels were disseminating misleading information against the Indian government and military, although no specific examples were publicly cited.
Collectively, the banned channels had a subscriber base exceeding approximately 66 million.
Full list of Pakistani YouTube channels restricted by India
Geo News — 18.1 million subscribers
ARY News — 14.6 million subscribers
Samaa TV — 12.7 million subscribers
Bol News — 7.85 million subscribers
ShoaibAkhtar100mph — 3.81M subscribers
GNN — 3.54 million subscribers
Dawn News TV — 1.96 million subscribers
Suno News HD — 1.36 million subscribers
Irshad Bhatti — 829k subscribers
Raftar — 805k subscribers
Muneeb Farooq — 165k subscribers
Asma Shirazi — 133k subscribers
Umar Cheema Exclusive — 125k subscribers
Pakistan Reference — 288k subscribers
Uzair Cricket — 288k subscribers
Razi Nama — 270k subscribers
Samaa Sports — 73.5k subscribers
Pahalgam attack and diplomatic aftermath
On Tuesday April 22, 26 men were killed at a tourist site in Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occuppied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India claimed without presenting any evidence that there were Pakistani elements linked to the attack, a claim Islamabad denies.
On Wednesday April 23, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security approved a series of actions including shutting down the Wagah-Attari land transit point, advising Indian nationals against travelling to Pakistan, and formally notifying Islamabad of the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
In response, Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) on Thursday April 24 warned that any attempt by India to block water flow into Pakistan would be treated as an act of war. The statement followed a high-level NSC meeting, which also approved the closure of the Wagah border crossing.
On Friday April 25, the Senate of Pakistan unanimously passed a resolution rejecting India’s allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
The Pakistani High Commission in London was later vandalised on Saturday April 26, after hundreds of Indian protesters demonstrated outside the building, causing property damage with broken windows and saffron paint.
Pakistan on Sunday accused India of backing vandalism at its High Commission in London, as tensions between the two neighbours continue to escalate across multiple fronts. Following the attacks, British police arrested two individuals allegedly involved in the vandalism.
Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar condemned the attacks, describing them as acts backed by "Indian state and agencies."