ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Wednesday that it has blocked 16 Indian YouTube channels and 32 Indian websites, citing concerns over the spread of “anti-Pakistan propaganda” and false information.
This action follows recent military confrontations between India and Pakistan, during which Indian forces conducted strikes inside Pakistani territory, resulting in 31 casualties.
The PTA stated that the blocked content included 16 Indian YouTube news channels, 31 YouTube video links, and 32 websites. The authority emphasized that these platforms were disseminating misleading narratives aimed at manipulating public perception and undermining national unity, thereby threatening Pakistan’s security and digital integrity.
This crackdown is part of Pakistan’s broader effort to combat disinformation and protect its national interests online. The PTA highlighted its ongoing commitment to maintaining a “safe, secure, and trustworthy” internet environment and indicated that it will continue monitoring online content for material that could pose risks to the country.
The move echoes India’s recent actions, including blocking Pakistani social media accounts of actors and cricketers on May 3, and banning over a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels following the April 22 attack in Kashmir.
Notable Pakistani channels previously restricted by India included Dawn, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Geo News, and others, accused of spreading provocative content.
