Indian Fans Respond as Pakistani Dramas Are Banned After Pahalgam Attack

(Web Desk) — In the aftermath of the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people, the Indian government has imposed new restrictions on Pakistani media content, drawing widespread disappointment from Indian fans of Pakistani entertainment. The attack in Indian-administered Kashmir has been blamed by Indian authorities on Pakistan—a charge Pakistan has firmly denied.

As part of the crackdown, several Pakistani entertainment channels, including HUM TV, ARY Digital, and Geo Entertainment, have been banned in India. The move also follows the recent blocking of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels and several news platforms.

For Indian viewers, this means popular Pakistani dramas are no longer accessible via traditional platforms or even through the official social media accounts of their favorite celebrities.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), fans expressed frustration and sadness. Many shared screenshots of access error messages, while others lamented the sudden loss of their go-to entertainment.

“How will I spend my free time now that Pakistani dramas are banned?” one user posted, summing up the mood of many.

Another user pointed out the contrasting cultural exchange, noting that while India has banned Pakistani players and dramas, Pakistani cinemas continue to screen Indian Punjabi films.

Some fans, anticipating such restrictions, had already downloaded complete series—like Meem Se Mohabbat—and expressed relief at their foresight.

Elsewhere, users joked about needing VPNs to bypass the bans and continue watching beloved shows like Humraaz, while others turned their criticism toward TV producers, questioning the impact of politics on creative content.

The ban marks another chapter in the ongoing strain between the two countries, but for many viewers, it’s a personal loss—cutting them off from a cherished source of storytelling and cross-border cultural connection.