India targets PM Shehbaz and ISPR YT channels in digital clampdown

India has blocked the offcial social media accounts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan’s military media wing. The ISPR had released videos alleging Indian involvement in false flag operations, which reportedly gained traction among Indian audiences before being taken down. “This is not just censorship. It’s political targeting of a sovereign country’s leader,” a senior media advisor told Reuters. In a parallel move, Pakistan has strongly criticised India’s decision to block the official YouTube channel of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling the move an “extreme and undemocratic” attempt to suppress free speech amid escalating tensions between the two countries. The clampdown has extended to sports and entertainment as well. Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalandars said Indian authorities have blocked its Facebook and Instagram pages for users in India, further tightening digital restrictions. The Qalandars, one of the PSL’s most popular franchises, reported over 264 million global views on its content. No official explanation was given for the block. Earlier, India suspended live streaming of PSL matches via the local platform Fancode and removed match highlights. The Foreign Office in Islamabad said it may raise the issue of digital bans with international rights organisations and platform providers, labelling India’s recent actions a violation of global standards on freedom of expression. Despite the restrictions, Pakistani officials noted that blocked content continues to circulate on alternative platforms. List of Pakistani YouTube channels restricted by India Geo News — 18.1 million subscribers Express News - 4.8 million subscribers ARY News — 14.6 million subscribers Samaa TV — 12.7 million subscribers Bol News — 7.85 million subscribers ShoaibAkhtar100mph — 3.81M subscribers GNN — 3.54 million subscribers Dawn News TV — 1.96 million subscribers Suno News HD — 1.36 million subscribers Irshad Bhatti — 829k subscribers Raftar — 805k subscribers Muneeb Farooq — 165k subscribers Asma Shirazi — 133k subscribers Umar Cheema Exclusive — 125k subscribers Pakistan Reference — 288k subscribers Uzair Cricket — 288k subscribers Razi Nama — 270k subscribers Samaa Sports — 73.5k subscribers Pahalgam attack and diplomatic aftermath On Tuesday April 22, 26 men were killed at a tourist site in Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occuppied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India claimed without presenting any evidence that there were Pakistani elements linked to the attack, a claim Islamabad denies. On Wednesday April 23, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security approved a series of actions including shutting down the Wagah-Attari land transit point, advising Indian nationals against travelling to Pakistan, and formally notifying Islamabad of the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. In response, Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) on Thursday April 24 warned that any attempt by India to block water flow into Pakistan would be treated as an act of war. The statement followed a high-level NSC meeting, which also approved the closure of the Wagah border crossing. On Friday April 25, the Senate of Pakistan unanimously passed a resolution rejecting India’s allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack, calling them baseless and politically motivated. The Pakistani High Commission in London was later vandalised on Saturday April 26, after hundreds of Indian protesters demonstrated outside the building, causing property damage with broken windows and saffron paint. Pakistan on Sunday accused India of backing vandalism at its High Commission in London, as tensions between the two neighbours continue to escalate across multiple fronts. Following the attacks, British police arrested two individuals allegedly involved in the vandalism. Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar condemned the attacks, describing them as acts backed by "Indian state and agencies."

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/VIvCgn5