From dramas to propaganda: How Pakistan’s content still streams in India despite post-Pahalgam digital ban

India Today’s investigation reveals that despite a government advisory, Pakistani entertainment, political, and military-linked digital content remains widely accessible in India due to selective enforcement and loopholes across websites and social media platforms.

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Despite a government advisory meant to cut off Pakistan-origin digital content after the Pahalgam terror attack, a wide range of Pakistani entertainment, political programming and even military-linked propaganda continues to reach Indian audiences.

An investigation by India Today’s Open-Source Intelligence team has found that enforcement of the advisory remains patchy and inconsistent, allowing Pakistan-based platforms and creators to continue operating through loopholes across websites and social media.

Last year, the Indian government directed OTT platforms, streaming services and digital intermediaries to discontinue web series, films, podcasts, songs and other digital content originating in Pakistan. However, India Today’s analysis shows that while some accounts have been blocked, large parts of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem remain untouched.

Pakistani dramas still accessible through websites

One of the clearest gaps identified by India Today involves Pakistani entertainment platforms.

The YouTube channel of ARY Digital has been blocked in India, citing “public order” restrictions. Yet its official website continues to stream the same drama content, fully accessible to Indian users and monetised through paid subscriptions.

A similar pattern was found with Har Pal Geo, owned by the Geo Media Group. While Geo News and related YouTube channels are blocked, the platform’s website continues to stream Pakistani serials in India without restriction.

India Today identified at least 15 YouTube channels streaming Pakistani drama content and monetising it, all still accessible from India. Five Pakistan-based lifestyle and vlog channels with a combined following of over 18 million also continue to draw Indian viewers.

Selective blocking leaves influencer economy intact

While several Pakistani actors and singers with large Indian fan bases remain blocked on Instagram, the broader creator ecosystem remains functional.

India Today found that at least four Pakistan-based digital creators with a combined following exceeding 14 million continue to benefit from Indian viewership through alternate platforms and websites.

Three Pakistan-origin podcasts featuring political and socio-cultural discussions were also found to be accessible in India despite the advisory.

The result, the report notes, is selective enforcement that blocks personalities but leaves revenue streams and content networks largely unaffected.

Anti-India Voices and State Media Still Reach Indian Users

More troubling is the continued accessibility of politically sensitive and openly anti-India content.

India Today found that Radio Pakistan’s official YouTube channel remains accessible in India. The channel last year carried an interview with Mushaal Hussein Mullick, wife of jailed Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, who is serving a life sentence in India.

While Radio Pakistan is blocked on X and Facebook, its official Instagram handle continues to be accessible to Indian users.

Even more striking is the continued presence of DG ISPR, the media arm of Pakistan’s military, on X. The account remains accessible in India despite a long record of disseminating narratives hostile to Indian security interests.

India Today also identified multiple Pakistan military-aligned Facebook pages, including Public Defense Information and Pak Army, that continue to circulate military propaganda and strategic messaging.

Extremist platforms still online

The enforcement gap extends into the extremist information space as well.

According to India Today’s analysis, blogs and digital platforms linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, including its proxy outfit The Resistance Front, remain accessible from within India. These platforms continue to publish content promoting extremist ideology.

Ban stops at platforms, not at content

Taken together, the findings point to a fragmented implementation of India’s post-Pahalgam digital advisory.

While select YouTube and Instagram accounts have been blocked, Pakistan-based OTT websites, political broadcasters, military propaganda outlets and extremist blogs continue to operate through alternate digital routes.

In effect, the ban applies to platforms rather than content itself. By blocking individual channels but leaving websites, subscription services and coordinated propaganda ecosystems untouched, enforcement gaps continue to allow Pakistan-origin content to remain accessible and monetised in India.

As India Today’s investigation shows, Pakistan’s digital footprint has not disappeared. It has simply adapted and slipped through the cracks.