Post the Indian government’s recent ban on 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for disseminating misinformation post the Pahalagam terrorist attack, calls are growing for further action against individuals known for their anti-India rhetoric. Adding to the chorus of concern, former Pakistani Hindu cricketer Danish Kaneria has publicly voiced his experiences with Afridi’s extremist views and disrespectful behaviour, further intensifying the demand for accountability regarding the content being shared by these influential figures
Amid rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has banned several Pakistani YouTube channels for disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, as well as false and misleading narratives targeting India, its army, and security agencies.
The ban includes YouTube channels affiliated with major Pakistani news outlets and individual creators. This action is part of India’s broader response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 Hindu tourists and left several others injured.
While the Government has taken action against these channels, several continue to remain active. Netizens have strongly demanded a ban on the YouTube channel of former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi. Known for his outspoken anti-India rhetoric, Afridi has become a mouthpiece for the Pakistan Army. He is reportedly paid to propagate narratives defending Islamist terrorists and attacking India’s military and security forces. Alongside calls for Afridi’s ban, there is growing scrutiny over the content shared by other Pakistani personalities, some of whom continue to spread divisive and misleading views about India.
Additionally, former Pakistani cricketer Inzamam ul Haq, known for issuing fatwas against India and Hindus, has also come under scrutiny.
Former Pakistani Hindu cricketer Danish Kaneria has also voiced his concerns, stating on X, “He (Afridi) has consistently aligned himself with extremist views. In my opinion, he should not be given a platform on Indian television or within the country. Additionally, he tried to persuade me to convert to Islam and refused to share a meal with me, which I found deeply disrespectful.”
He has consistently aligned himself with extremist views. In my opinion, he should not be given a platform on Indian television or within the country. Additionally, he tried to persuade me to convert to Islam and declined to share a meal with me, which I found deeply… https://t.co/gArYTNX1x4
— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) April 28, 2025
The action follows the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which cited the spread of “provocative, communally sensitive content” and the circulation of “misleading narratives targeting India, its military, and security agencies.”
On the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India has banned the 16 Pakistani YouTube channels including Dawn News, Samaa TV, Ary News, Geo News for disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and… pic.twitter.com/AusR1fCkvN
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
The banned channels include major news outlets such as Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Raftar, Geo News, Suno News, and The Pakistan Experience.
In addition to these, channels run by popular individual creators such as Wasay Habib, Arzoo Kazmi, Syed Muzammil Shah, cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, and journalists such as Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq have also been restricted for Indian users. Notably, a significant portion of the audience for these channels was Indian.
The terror attack on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam targeted Hindu tourists, killing 26 people, including one Nepalese national. The victims were asked about their religion and were shot dead if they identified as Hindus, near Baisaran Meadow.
It is worth mentioning here that the responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack has been outright claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), part of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group.
Notably, the Modi Govenment has formally objected and warned BBC, a UK based news outlet for its coverage on the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. In a letter addressed to BBC India chief Jackie Martin, the Government has raised concerns over the media outlet’s use of the term “militants” instead of “terrorists” in their reporting.
The External Publicity Department of the Ministry of External Affairs has said the country’s “strong sentiments” have been conveyed to Jackie Martin, India Head for BBC, regarding their reporting on the terror attack.
