The social media accounts of several Pakistani celebrities were geo-blocked again on Thursday (July 3, 2025), hours after they became briefly accessible to users in India — a development that had triggered sharp reactions across social media platforms.
Some of the previously restricted profiles became visible on Wednesday (July 2, 2025), reportedly due to a technical glitch. However, following the issue being brought to the attention of the authorities, the content was once again geo-restricted and is no longer accessible in India.
In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had recommended the blocking of 16 YouTube channels based in Pakistan. These were accused of disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false narratives, and misinformation targeting India, its armed forces, and security agencies.
The list of banned YouTube channels includes prominent media outlets such as Dawn News, ARY News, Samaa TV, Bol News, and Geo News, along with other channels such as Irshad Bhatti, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, Suno News, and Raazi Naama.
In addition, the social media profiles of Pakistani public figures — including actors Mahira Khan, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Danish Taimoor, Yumna Zaidi, Fawad Khan, Mawra Hocane, and Hania Aamir — as well as cricketers such as Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Wasim Akram, Shan Masood, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Imam-ul-Haq, Shadab Khan, and Shoaib Akhtar — remain geo-blocked in India.
Further, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued an advisory to over-the-top (OTT) platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries in India, instructing them to discontinue web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other forms of media content originating from Pakistan.
The advisory cited national security considerations, stating, “Several terrorist attacks in India have been established to have cross-border linkages with Pakistan-based state and non-state actors… On April 22, the terrorist attack in Pahalgam led to the killing of several Indians, one Nepali citizen, and injuries to a number of others…”.
Quoting Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the Ministry underscored the responsibilities of content publishers on OTT platforms. It also referenced Rule 3(1)(b) of Part II of the IT Rules, 2021, which stipulates that intermediaries must ensure that users do not upload or share content that “threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order”.
Published – July 03, 2025 09:06 pm IST
