Pakistani dramas: Following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, India has prohibited well-known Pakistani drama channels on YouTube.
It includes ARY Digital, Har Pal Geo, and Hum TV, further escalating censorship and political retribution.
Fans and content creators are disappointed with the suggested action by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs since Pakistan’s television dramas had developed a strong and devoted following in India over the last ten years.
Viewers trying to reach these channels today get a notification saying:
An order from the government pertaining to national security or public order makes this material currently inaccessible in this nation.
Millions of Indian families who had developed an emotional attachment to Pakistani drama content for its sophisticated storytelling, relatable family themes, and small episode lengths are impacted by the decision.
Pakistani series have become a mainstay in many Indian homes, particularly since their rise in popularity started in 2016, from Zindagi Gulzar Hai to Mere Humsafar and Tere Bin.
Even among households across the border, Pakistani celebrities like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Wahaj Ali, and Yumna Zaidi had grown to be well-known.
Interestingly, the prohibition seems erratic; users on some Indian networks such as Jio may yet see the plays even if a government notice is shown on the homepage.
This selective enforcement has sparked debate on the actual purpose of the prohibition.
Earlier India had banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels in a larger crackdown, claiming they were distributing “provocative” or “misleading” material.
The prohibition has evolved to focus on entertainment sources unrelated to political messaging, therefore expanding it and prompting worries regarding freedom of expression and censorship.
India’s actions follow a series of retaliatory actions — from banning Pakistani actors in Indian films to silencing digital cultural exchange, from suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.
As political temperatures rise, both countries have allegedly barred even cross-border projects such Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor’s forthcoming film “Abir Gulaal.”
Pakistani material keeps thriving online via other channels despite the prohibitions, and fans all around are still watching in.
