India blocks Dialogue Pakistan's social media handles after Pahalgam fallout

As the Indian government continues its spree of blocking prominent Pakistani accounts online, Dialogue Pakistan has become its latest target, with its social media handles now inaccessible in India.

Following the Pahalgam incident, the far-right BJP government hastily blamed Pakistan for the attack without presenting any evidence. In the aftermath, it began blocking Pakistani news pages and channels across various social media platforms, particularly those that challenged or exposed India’s unsubstantiated claims.

Dialogue Pakistan remains committed to unbiased reporting of national and international events, without distorting facts or resorting to sensationalism.

This digital censorship comes amid wider restrictions on Pakistani media content. 

Earlier, India, which touts itself as the world’s largest democracy and a defender of free speech, banned several famous Pakistani YouTube channels.

Read: Indian govt blocks Pakistani entertainment channels on YouTube

Ahead of the European Commission’s visit to New Delhi in February 2025, several human rights organisations raised concerns about the Indian government’s ongoing repression of free speech and human rights violations.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and Reporters Without Borders were among the organisations that condemned the Modi-led government for undermining democracy, restricting free expression, and persecuting minorities.

In their letter, the human rights watchdogs criticised the Indian government's recent laws that further restrict free speech, target political opponents, and suppress dissent.

Minorities and dissidents continue to face extrajudicial persecution, killings, and punitive actions under the far-right BJP government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also faced scrutiny after a BBC investigation exposed his role in the 2002 Gujarat massacre of Muslims.