India has blocked the official YouTube channel of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, just days after banning several Pakistani YouTube channels. This decision comes after the April 22 incident in Pahalgam, which has increased tensions between the two countries.
YouTube said the channel was blocked after receiving an order from the Indian government. The reason given was national security or concerns about public order. Along with the channel being blocked, future videos cannot be uploaded either.
Many people see this move as India’s way of stopping the spread of other viewpoints regarding the Pahalgam incident. Supporters of free speech argue that blocking such content limits public access to different sides of the story.
One of the removed videos was PM Shehbaz’s speech at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul. It was taken down after a formal complaint from the Indian side. However, YouTube has informed the Pakistani government that it has the option to appeal this decision.
This isn’t the first time such actions have been taken. In the past, both India and Pakistan have blocked each other’s content during times of political or military tension. Experts say such steps often worsen the already fragile relationship between the two nations.
The blocking of the Prime Minister’s official channel is seen as a serious move, especially since it affects government-level communication. While India claims it acted to protect national security, Pakistan is likely to view this as censorship and an attempt to control the narrative.
As both sides continue to respond, it remains to be seen whether the situation will calm down or lead to more restrictions on digital platforms in the region.
