The government of India has instructed all OTT platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries present in India to stop streaming any content that is from Pakistan with immediate effect. This includes web series, movies, songs, podcasts, and other digital content, whether on subscription-based models or free platforms. The action comes at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are running high after the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which was attributed to Pakistan-based terror organizations.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting released the advisory based on national security interests, saying that a number of terrorist attacks in India have cross-border connections with state and non-state actors in Pakistan.
The directive is meant to stop content that would impact India's sovereignty, integrity, or public order and stop the dissemination of propaganda and fake news from Pakistan.
This is in addition to other retaliatory actions by India, such as deactivation of Pakistani artists' social media pages, revocation of visas for Pakistan nationals, closure of the land borders, and suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The directive by the government affects major streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and others that had previously carried Pakistani films and dramas.
Even All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) condemned Pakistani actors who spoke against India's actions, as that helped reinforce the government's position.
This rare move reflects India's strong reaction against cross-border terrorism and also marks an attempt to protect national security by limiting Pakistani cultural material in India.
