India lifts ban on Pakistani YouTube channels, celebrities

India has unexpectedly lifted its ban on Pakistani YouTube channels and artists, restoring access for Indian audiences to Pakistani digital content.

Following the Pahalgam incident, India had imposed restrictions on various Pakistani YouTube channels and suspended the release of Pakistani films and content, including projects featuring actors like Fawad Khan and Hania Aamir. Although Hania Aamir's film achieved global success, it was not released in India due to the ban.

Now, with the restrictions lifted, Indian viewers have expressed delight at the renewed access. Despite a drop in viewership during the ban, popular Pakistani dramas like Man Mast Malang, Sher, Dayan, and Parwarish continued to attract Indian audiences.

Indian fans welcomed the development warmly. One commented, “Diljit Dosanjh took the first step, and now others are following.” Another viewer noted, “Lifting the ban is a good sign, but Pakistan’s entertainment industry should now focus on higher-quality content.”

Read more: India suspends PSL streaming amid Pahalgam attack

Fans of actor Danish Taimoor are particularly thrilled, as his dramas Sher and Man Mast Malang performed well in India despite the restrictions. One excited fan said, “Sher will now roar louder,” while another added, “Sher is on track to join the billion-views club and surpass Tere Bin.”

Indian users were also surprised to see posts from Pakistani celebrities reappear on their social media timelines, signaling a silent unblocking of certain accounts. Celebrities whose accounts have been reinstated include Danish Taimoor, Ahad Raza Mir, Mawra Hocane, and Yumna Zaidi.

However, access to the accounts of several major Pakistani stars—including Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Wahaj Ali, Iqra Aziz, Farhan Saeed, and Hania Aamir—remains restricted in India.

Experts view this decision by the Indian government as a positive step toward improving cultural relations. It also presents an opportunity for the Pakistani entertainment industry to strengthen its presence in the Indian market through high-quality content.