Pakistan Bans Broadcast of Indian Songs on FM Radio Amid Rising Indo-Pak Tensions Following Pahalgam Attack
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions between India and Pakistan are at their peak after the horrific terrorist attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. While there is outrage in India over this attack, a round of retaliation is going on between the two countries, the effect of which is now visible on cultural exchange as well. After India banned Pakistani YouTube channels and artists, Pakistan has also retaliated and banned the broadcast of Indian songs on its radio stations.
Describing the decision as an 'example of patriotism', the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) confirmed it on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The association said that all Indian music has been removed from FM stations across the country with immediate effect. The move comes in the wake of growing diplomatic hostility and retaliation between India and Pakistan following the brutal Pahalgam incident. Indian songs and singers have been very popular in Pakistan for decades. From old legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi to today's Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, their songs were widely heard on the radio there, but now this will not happen.
Pakistan's Information Minister Ataullah Tarar has praised the PBA's move, citing patriotic interests. In a letter to the PBA's general secretary, he described the decision as a step of 'national unity'. The letter said that they deeply appreciate the PBA's initiative, which maintains the dignity and sovereignty of the country. He further said that it shows that in such difficult times, everyone is united to promote national unity and support core values. The Information Minister also praised the efforts of all media stakeholders who are working in the national interest and support government efforts towards promoting unity, peace and patriotism.
Earlier, to respond to Pakistan on the Pahalgam attack, India had banned all Pakistani artists on social media and also banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. While banning all these 16 YouTube channels, it was cited that all these channels are spreading hatred by providing false information to the people in India. The Pakistani YouTube channels which have been banned in India include Sama TV, Aary News, Dawn News and Geo News.
