Indian government directs OTT platforms to stop streaming Pakistan-origin content

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory directing OTT platforms, media streaming platforms, and intermediaries operating in India to stop streaming films, web shows, songs, podcasts and any other type of content that originated in Pakistan.

This comes in the wake of the rising tensions between the two countries after the recent airstrikes conducted by India under ‘Operation Sindoor’.

The advisory, as quoted by ANI, reads, “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.”

On May 6-7, at around 1 am, Indian armed forces attacked 9 terror sites in Pakistan in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead.

Earlier, the social media accounts of Pakistani celebrities were banned in India, including that of actors Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hania Amir, singer Atif Aslam and cricketer Shahid Afridi. Fawad was also set to make his comeback to Bollywood with the romantic-drama Abir Gulaal, also starring Vani Kapoor. The film’s release was halted after the Pahalgam attack.