By The Sampadak Express
In a sweeping move amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed all OTT platforms operating in India to immediately cease streaming content originating from Pakistan. The directive includes web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other digital media, whether available through subscription or free access.
Citing national security concerns, the ministry’s order follows closely on the heels of Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike by the Indian armed forces in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
The cross-border operation, which targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has heightened geopolitical tensions and impacted financial markets. Non-deliverable forwards on the Indian rupee indicated signs of stress, while Pakistan temporarily closed its airspace, as confirmed by Pakistan International Airlines.
Impact on Entertainment Industry
The entertainment industry is already feeling the ripple effects. Social media accounts of several Pakistani celebrities are now inaccessible in India. Artists affected include actors Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hania Amir, and singers Atif Aslam, Ali Sethi, and Farhan Saeed, among others.
Fans trying to access their Instagram profiles in India are greeted with a message stating: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
The move has also cast uncertainty over cross-border collaborations. Actor Fawad Khan, who was set to return to Bollywood with the film Abir Gulaal alongside Vaani Kapoor, may now see the project shelved or significantly delayed.
This is not the first time Indian authorities have clamped down on Pakistani content, but the current directive represents one of the most comprehensive bans to date, signaling a hardening stance in cultural diplomacy amid renewed hostilities.
