As tensions escalate between Pakistan and India, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has compiled a list of high-profile Pakistani YouTubers accused of spreading anti-state and anti-military narratives. The agency has requested federal government approval to block these channels within Pakistan.

Notable names reportedly under review include Imran Riaz, Sabir Shakir, Siddique Jan, and Shahbaz Gill. Channels run by Ahmed Noorani and Waqar Malik have already been blocked. PTA has also submitted these cases to YouTube’s administration for further action.

According to a PTA spokesperson, action will proceed upon formal government directives, with the authority citing national security and public order concerns. “We have shared the relevant data with YouTube and are awaiting final instructions,” the spokesperson told SAMAA TV, noting confidentiality protocols around the full list.

PTA disclosed that over 3,200 YouTube channels accused of promoting anti-Pakistan content have been blocked, alongside over 119,000 URLs flagged for unlawful material. Additionally, 68 Indian YouTube channels have been blocked in Pakistan at PTA’s request.

While the PTA holds authority to block digital content under PECA, legal enforcement and arrests fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.

Source: https://www.samaa.tv/2087333670-pta-lists-major-pakistani-youtubers-running-hate-campaigns

Indian authorities have arrested travel influencer Jyoti Malhotra from Haryana on charges of espionage, alleging she was in contact with a Pakistani High Commission official expelled from India earlier this month. Malhotra, who has over 377,000 YouTube subscribers, reportedly visited Pakistan multiple times, with her last trip in March 2025.

Police claim she maintained continuous communication with Pakistani intelligence operatives and may have collaborated with others, though she had no direct access to defense-related information. Her travel history and financing have come under scrutiny, raising questions about her known sources of income.

The arrest follows rising tensions between India and Pakistan, and came shortly after the Indian government expelled Ahsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistani diplomat, citing "activities incompatible with his official status." Pakistan retaliated by expelling an Indian diplomat.

Malhotra’s father denies the allegations, stating she traveled with proper permissions. Her arrest is being further linked to investigations around the recent Pahalgam attack, which triggered military escalation earlier this month.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2e7xv8v80o

Following a May 8 advisory by the Indian government, major music streaming services like Spotify began removing Pakistani content for Indian users, citing national security concerns under the IT Rules. Popular songs such as Maand, Jhol, and Faasle were delisted, and Pakistani artists like Mawra Hocane and Mahira Khan were digitally erased from promotional materials.

The directive instructed OTT platforms and digital intermediaries to block all Pakistani media, including web series, songs, and podcasts. Industry figures expressed concern, noting they were not consulted.

While the ban targets original content, Bollywood continues to profit from remakes of iconic Pakistani tracks, raising questions of cultural double standards amid censorship.

Source: https://images.dawn.com/news/1193633

Pakistani actors have reportedly been removed from Bollywood film posters and promotional content on Indian streaming platforms. The move appears to be part of a broader digital cultural boycott amid deteriorating diplomatic relations. Platforms including Netflix India and Amazon Prime Video have edited visuals to exclude Pakistani talent, further erasing cross-border collaboration from the public eye. Critics argue this digitally enforced erasure not only undermines artistic freedom but also feeds into divisive nationalist sentiment, weaponising culture in a digital propaganda war.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who announced the ceasefire with Pakistan, became the target of online harassment and nationalist trolling. The backlash included coordinated attacks on social media, questioning the government’s decision to pursue peace. Analysts have flagged the trend of digital mobs targeting policymakers for perceived ‘weakness’, highlighting how toxic digital discourse can shape diplomatic outcomes. The harassment reflects a polarised digital landscape in India, where constructive engagement is often drowned out by ideological extremism amplified through social media platforms.

Misri has since made his X account private, with Indian MP John Brittas urging India’s Home Minister to investigate the cyber attacks targeting the Foreign Secretary and his family.

Lt Gen (retd) Asif Ghafoor, former Director-General of ISPR, issued a stern warning to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning against continued misinformation and provocations targeting Pakistan. Ghafoor’s statement, released via the social media platform X, accused Indian media and state actors of manufacturing narratives to justify aggression. He emphasised Pakistan’s readiness to counter both physical and digital threats and urged restraint and responsibility from Indian leadership. His remarks come amidst escalating digital confrontations, including hacking threats and disinformation campaigns, underlining the role of digital warfare in modern geopolitical crises.

The former ISPR chief also alleged that X had hidden one of his tweets criticising Modi.