New Delhi, May 8, 2025 — The Indian government has imposed a comprehensive ban on all Pakistani-origin content across over-the-top (OTT) platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries operating within the country. This decisive action follows heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including several Indian tourists and a Nepali national.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued an advisory mandating the immediate removal of web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other streaming media content originating from Pakistan. The advisory emphasized that such content poses threats to India’s sovereignty, integrity, and national security.
This ban is enforced under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which obligate digital platforms to avoid hosting content that could compromise India’s unity, security, or foreign relations. The MIB highlighted that recent terrorist activities, including the Pahalgam attack, have been linked to Pakistan-based state and non-state actors, necessitating stringent measures to curb the dissemination of potentially harmful content.
In a related development, the Indian government had previously blocked the Pakistan-based OTT platform Vidly TV in December 2022. The platform had released a web series titled “Sevak: The Confessions,” which was found to propagate an anti-India narrative by distorting sensitive historical events such as Operation Blue Star, the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The series was deemed detrimental to national security and public order.
The current ban extends to all forms of Pakistani-origin content, regardless of the distribution model, and applies to both subscription-based and free-to-access platforms. The MIB has directed all OTT platforms and digital intermediaries to ensure strict compliance with the advisory, warning of legal consequences for non-compliance.
This move is part of a broader strategy by the Indian government to counter cross-border terrorism and misinformation campaigns. In addition to the content ban, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, halted cross-border trade, revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, and closed the Integrated Check Post at Attari. Furthermore, Pakistan’s defense, military, naval, and air advisors at its High Commission in Delhi have been asked to leave the country within a week. Social News XYZ
The diplomatic fallout has been significant, with both nations engaging in retaliatory measures. India conducted precision missile strikes targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, while Pakistan has vowed to respond at a time and place of its choosing. The situation remains tense, with international calls for de-escalation from the U.S., Gulf nations, and Iran. Social News XYZThe Guardian
The ban on Pakistani content is seen as a significant step by India to safeguard its national security interests and prevent the spread of propaganda through digital platforms. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the effectiveness and implications of such measures will be closely monitored by stakeholders and observers alike.
