On Thursday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) directed all OTT platforms, digital streaming services, and intermediaries in India to stop showing any web series, films, music, podcasts, or other media content coming from Pakistan with immediate effect. This advisory, which covers both paid and free platforms, was issued citing national security concerns. The order was issued amid rising tensions along the India-Pakistan border, triggered by India's Operation Sindoor, a response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and Pakistan's continued shelling along the Line of Control. 

“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,” the ministry published a statement.

Before imposing content restrictions, Indian digital platforms had already limited access to social media accounts of various Pakistani celebrities. Indian users have noticed that verified profiles of Pakistani actors, musicians, and other public figures are no longer visible on platforms such as Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Despite this, Pakistani content has built a small but loyal audience in India over time, primarily through digital platforms. Pakistani TV dramas, for instance, found popularity among Indian viewers when they were made available on services like ZEE5. 

Pakistani movies like Bol, Khuda Kay Liye, Cake, and Laal Kabootar have been made accessible to Indian viewers through streaming platforms such as Prime Video and YouTube. Music from Pakistan continues to enjoy strong popularity in India. Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music feature well-known Pakistani singers including Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Abida Parveen, Ali Sethi and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Coke Studio Pakistan, celebrated for blending traditional and modern musical styles, also has a devoted following among Indian audiences.