INVC NEWS New Delhi — In a significant move underscoring national security concerns, the Government of India has blocked the official YouTube channel of Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, citing emergency powers under the Information Technology Act. The channel, previously accessible to Indian users, now displays the message: “This content is not available in this country due to government orders related to national security or public order.” The decision marks the most high-profile digital censorship move by the Indian authorities in recent months and reflects escalating digital restrictions amidst strained bilateral relations.
Government Tightens Grip on Cross-Border Digital Influence
The blocking of Shahbaz Sharif’s YouTube channel is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader crackdown by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to curb what officials describe as a coordinated disinformation campaign emerging from Pakistan. Authorities have identified several YouTube channels, Instagram profiles, and social media influencers allegedly disseminating misleading content aimed at undermining India’s sovereignty, public order, and military reputation.
List of High-Profile Accounts Blocked in India
As of the latest update, the following Pakistani accounts and channels have been blocked:
Shoaib Akhtar – Former cricketer’s official YouTube channel
Shahid Afridi – Ex-cricketer’s YouTube presence
Arzoo Kazmi – Journalist and commentator
Syed Muzammil Shah – Media analyst and YouTuber
Arshad Nadeem – Olympian’s Instagram profile
Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan – Leading Pakistani actresses’ Instagram handles
In addition, several controversial channels, including Haqiqat TV, Haqiqat TV 2.0, Ghulam Nabi Madni, and Duniya Mere Aage, have also been taken down. The Indian government alleges these platforms were part of an orchestrated campaign to propagate anti-India rhetoric, stir unrest, and manipulate narratives around Kashmir, the Indian Army, and foreign policy matters.
Backdrop: Terror Attack in Pahalgam Triggers Escalation
The decision comes in the wake of a brutal terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including many domestic tourists. Intelligence reports suggest that the attack was planned and executed with cross-border involvement, intensifying scrutiny on digital platforms transmitting potentially inflammatory content from across the border.
Since the attack, tensions between India and Pakistan have surged, prompting the Indian government to act swiftly against platforms and individuals promoting unverified, provocative, or sensitive narratives. Officials argue that unchecked misinformation from across the border could further destabilize the internal security environment and erode public trust.
Legal Grounds and Digital Governance Framework
The action against these accounts has been taken under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which permits the government to block public access to any online content that poses a threat to national security, foreign relations, or public order. The use of emergency powers highlights the perceived gravity of the content shared by these channels and personalities.
This move is part of India’s larger strategy to fortify its digital borders and regulate foreign influence in the domestic information ecosystem. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has worked in coordination with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to identify patterns of coordinated misinformation originating from Pakistan.
India’s Digital Counter-Propaganda Strategy
India’s response is reflective of a broader counter-propaganda framework designed to minimize cross-border psychological warfare and cyber influence operations. Authorities have been investing in AI-powered monitoring tools, content verification systems, and rapid takedown protocols to ensure the digital space is safeguarded against foreign influence.
Sources from the Ministry confirm that these blocked channels were actively involved in:
Disseminating distorted narratives on Kashmir
Misrepresenting the role and actions of the Indian Armed Forces
Questioning India’s diplomatic stances
Creating sectarian and communal divides through targeted disinformation
The government has emphasized that the aim is not censorship but the protection of national unity and public safety in a volatile geopolitical environment.
International and Diplomatic Reactions
While Pakistan has not issued an official statement on the ban yet, digital rights activists from both countries have voiced contrasting opinions. Proponents of the ban assert it is a necessary safeguard against propaganda, while critics argue it may set a precedent for content suppression and censorship under the guise of national security.
However, Indian authorities have defended the action as a strategic digital defense, reiterating that platforms found to undermine India’s sovereignty, security, and public harmony will face stringent action irrespective of their popularity or political affiliations.
Rise in National Security-Focused Digital Policy Measures
This latest move adds to a growing list of policy-level initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s cyber sovereignty. From the banning of hundreds of Chinese-origin apps in 2020 to the tightening of foreign digital media rules, the Indian government is making it increasingly clear that national security will take precedence over unrestricted digital access.
The recent bans reflect a shift toward a proactive cyber defense posture, emphasizing domestic platform regulation, real-time monitoring, and international cooperation on digital threats.
Public Support and Media Discourse in India
The blocking of high-profile Pakistani accounts has found broad public support, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam tragedy. Television debates and editorial columns have largely endorsed the move as a necessary step to combat growing disinformation threats and honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the terror attack.
Social media sentiment also appears to favor the action, with users urging the government to go further in restricting hostile foreign influence on domestic platforms.
What This Means for the Future of Digital Diplomacy
The YouTube and social media bans may further strain already tenuous diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan. More importantly, they mark the beginning of a new era in digital diplomacy, where content moderation becomes an extension of national foreign policy. The boundaries between information warfare and traditional diplomacy are blurring, with online platforms emerging as the new geopolitical battleground.
India’s assertive stance sends a message not just to Pakistan but to all foreign actors attempting to manipulate domestic narratives—that digital sovereignty is not negotiable.
