NEW DEHLI: In the latest move, The Indian government has blocked former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s official YouTube channel within India, citing concerns related to national security and public order , according to a notification shared by YouTube.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors over cross-border terrorism allegations and geopolitical disputes.
Key Details from YouTube’s Notification:
- Reason for Blockage :
- The Indian government issued an order under its legal framework to restrict access to Imran Khan’s channel (Imran Khan ) in India.
- YouTube stated, “We received an order from the government related to national security or public order regarding your content.”
- Scope of Restrictions :
- All existing content on the channel is now inaccessible to users in India.
- Future uploads will also be automatically blocked in the country.
- Government Justification :
While the specific grounds for the blockage remain undisclosed, India has previously restricted digital content deemed detrimental to national interests, particularly during periods of diplomatic strain with Pakistan.
Political Context:
Imran Khan, leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been a vocal critic of Indian policies, including those related to Kashmir. His channel, which frequently features speeches, interviews, and political commentary, has amassed significant followers across South Asia.
Reaction and Implications:
- PTI Officials : The party condemned the move as an attempt to stifle dissent and accused India of violating principles of free speech.
- Digital Rights Groups : Advocates raised concerns about the precedent set by governments using national security clauses to suppress opposing voices online.
This development underscores the escalating rhetorical confrontation between India and Pakistan, with both nations leveraging digital platforms to shape narratives and assert influence.
Earlier, India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and prominent content creators, accusing them of spreading provocative content and false narratives.
Among those targeted is former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, whose personal channel has over 3.5 million subscribers. Other major platforms blocked include Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, Geo News, Bol News, and Raftar, affecting a combined audience of around 63 million subscribers across India.
Read More: India Blocks Pakistan’s Airlines From Entering Its Airspace
