Pahalgam fallout: India blocks Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's YouTube channel amid tensions

NEW DELHI: India on Friday blocked Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's official YouTube account amid soaring tension between the two nations."This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order. For more details about government removal requests, please visit the Google Transparency Report," reads the blocked profile. Blockage of Sharif's channel in India is the biggest high-profile account that the government has blocked after Pakistani finance minister Khawaja Asif and the ISPR, which is the Pakistan army's propaganda wing.The government has taken action not only against the accounts of Pakistani political leaders, but the sportspersons, social media influencers and news channels.In response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, the government has intensified its efforts to counteract misinformation and anti-India propaganda originating from Pakistan. The ministry of information and broadcasting has ordered the blocking of several Pakistani YouTube channels and social media accounts that were found to be disseminating misleading content aimed at undermining India's sovereignty and public order. Among the prominent YouTube channels blocked are those operated by former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, journalist Arzoo Kazmi, and commentator Syed Muzammil Shah. Olympian Arshad Nadeem's Instagram account and ex-cricketer Shahid Afridi's YouTube accounts were also suspended.Additionally, channels such as DuniyaMeryAagy, Ghulam Nabi Madni, HAQEEQAT TV, and HAQEEQAT TV 2.0 have been restricted for Indian users.On April 30, prominent actresses Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan’s Instagram profiles were blocked in India. These actions are part of a broader strategy to curb the spread of disinformation following the attack, with the Indian government invoking emergency powers under the Information Technology Act to enforce these bans. The blocked channels were identified as part of coordinated networks operating from Pakistan, aiming to spread fake news on sensitive topics such as the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India's foreign relations.