New Delhi: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday issued an advisory asking all OTT platforms and other media streaming services operating in India to discontinue Pakistan-origin content.
“In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect,” read the advisory dated 8 May.
The decision comes a day after the Indian Armed Forces conducted Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror targets in Pakistan in the early hours of 7 May.
The advisory also mentioned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. “Several terrorist attacks in India have been established to have cross border linkages with Pakistan based State and non-State actors. Recently, on 22.04.2025, the terrorist attack in Pahalgam led to the killing of several Indians, one Nepali citizen, and injuries to a number of others,” said the note.
The ministry invoked the code of ethics under the IT Rules of 2021 and directed platforms not to show content that might threaten the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India.
Also read: Rajkummar Rao’s Bhool Chuk Maaf to release directly on OTT. Makers say, ‘Nation comes first’
‘Anti-India’ statements
On Wednesday, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) criticised statements made by popular Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan following India’s Operation Sindoor, calling them “anti-India”.
According to AICWA, the actors reportedly condemned India’s strike on Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam attack, the social media handles of most Pakistani actors had already been blocked in India.
“The statements are not just disrespectful to our nation but also an insult to the countless innocent lives lost due to terrorism and the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our country. AICWA reaffirms its strict and complete ban on Pakistani artists, filmmakers, and financiers working in India. No Indian artist will collaborate with any Pakistani talent, nor will any global platform be shared with them,” the AICWA statement read.
The crackdown on content from Pakistan had begun after the Pahalgam terror attack, starting with the ban of 16 YouTube channels, which included news portals and journalist accounts. Later, the YouTube channel of Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and cricketers like Shaheen Afridi and Shoaib Malik were also blocked.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)