Premium

Govt asks streaming platforms to remove Pakistan-origin content amid rising Indo-Pak tensions

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked OTT and other streaming platforms to discontinue any content that originated in Pakistan.

Govt asks OTT platforms to stop streaming Pakistan-origin web-series, films, content with immediate effect. (AI-generated photo)

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday released an advisory directing all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms, and intermediaries operating in India to immediately discontinue screening any web shows, films, songs, podcasts, and other streaming media content that originated in Pakistan.

The advisory was issued in the interest of national security and includes both subscription-based and free platforms. A part of the advisory read, “In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect”

Also Read | Operation Sindoor LIVE Updates

This move comes after the government banned several Pakistani artistes’ social media accounts, including those of singer Atif Aslam, cricketers Shahid Afridi and Babar Azam, and actor Fawad Khan. The release of Fawad Khan’s film Abir Gulaal, which also starred Vaani Kapoor in the lead role, was also halted in India.

Pakistani shows had gained popularity in India and were streamed on platforms like ZEE5. Singers like Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Abida Parveen, Ali Sethi, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan were also featured widely on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have been escalating. To avenge the brutal Pahalgam attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, the Indian government launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Following the operation, Pakistan resorted to cross-border shelling along the Line of Control, which was opposed by Indian forces. Pakistan also attempted to target several military sites in Northern and Western India, but those efforts were neutralised, according to a statement by the Indian government.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.