YouTube's suspension notice originates from 2012, according to PTA's clarification.
Pakistan Clears the Air Over YouTube: It's Still Operational
In an abrupt about-face, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has squashed rumors swirling around about a potential YouTube ban in Pakistan. A 2012 press release resurfaced online, giving rise to these speculations, but fret not, folks, as this is an outdated notice!
With a firm stance, PTA made it crystal clear that the circulating press release, reeking of antiquity, dates back to 2012, a bygone era in the realm of internet inclinations. The press release, initially issued subsequent to orders by the Supreme Court, back then led to the YouTube ban in Pakistan due to the uproar caused by the blasphemous film Innocence of Muslims, according to PTA.
However, skip the drama, because this is water under the bridge.
To clarify the current standing of YouTube, the PTA has gone on the record stating that the content being peddled is downright irrelevant to the present situation. "No instructions have been doled out by the PTA to shut down YouTube or any other social media platform," the authority announced emphatically.
So there you have it, YouTube warriors! Fear the ban no more - Pakistan's most populous video-sharing platform remains unscathed, much to the relief of its ardent users.
Now, hop on over to India. Amidst the recent turmoil sparked by the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has led a controversial charge against Pakistan, banning more than two dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly disseminating incendiary content. These channels have graced the subscriber's lists of over 63 million viewers, according to reports.
Prominent news outlets like Dawn, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Raftar, Geo News, and Suno News are included in this ban. The banned channels had access to an extensive audience, garnering countless followers. The ban took place on Monday, with the cold message stating the move was in line with an "order from the government related to national security or public order".
Apart from Pakistani media channels, the Indian government also put a hold on the social media accounts of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), PSL franchises, current and former Pakistani athletes, and popular figures like Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, and Arshad Nadeem.
But, as the old adage goes, "All's fair in love and war." Or something like that.
India's Recent Crackdown on Pakistani YouTube Channels
Curious about the channels that got the boot? Here's the lowdown:
- Number of Channels Banned: A whopping total of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels are now under India's scrutiny. These channels include acclaimed news outlets like Dawn News, Samaa TV, and Jon News[2][3][5].
- Reasons for the Ban: The offending channels were pointed out for their inflammatory content, misinformation, and misguided narratives against India, the Indian Army, and other security agencies[2][4].
- Triggering Incident: The clampdown follows the Pahalgam terror attack, catapulting tensions between India and Pakistan to alarming levels. India has raised concerns about Pakistan's potential role in the attack[2][4].
Let's face it - the internet world is a tumultuous arena where controversy can brew up at the drop of a hat!
In response to India's recent crackdown, the Pakistani Prime Minister Pervez Shehbaz has not been confirmed to have commented directly on the shutdown of numerous Pakistani YouTube channels. These channels, including major news outlets like Dawn, Samaa TV, and ARY News, were banned due to their inflammatory content about India and its security agencies. This action was taken following the Pahalgam terror attack, potentially heightening political tensions between the two nations. Despite the YouTube ban in Pakistan being a thing of the past, the current global political news landscape remains volatile and filled with uncertainty.
