India Bans Pakistani Music on Streaming Platforms – In the Name of “Security”
The advisory instructed platforms to discontinue Pakistani-origin web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other streaming media content immediately, whether subscription-based or otherwise.
Following a Indian government advisory issued on May 8, 2025, directing all OTT platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries in India to remove content originating from Pakistan, major music streaming platforms, including Spotify India, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, have pulled Pakistani songs from their catalogues available in India.
Popular Pakistani tracks such as Maand, Jhol, and Faasle were removed from Spotify on the night of May 14, 2025, and similar removals were observed across other platforms.
The advisory was issued under Part II of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, emphasising that content hosted or streamed should not threaten India’s sovereignty, integrity, national security, or public order.
The advisory instructed platforms to discontinue Pakistani-origin web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other streaming media content immediately, whether subscription-based or otherwise.
In addition to music removals, images of Pakistani actors such as Mawra Hocane and Mahira Khan were removed from digital promotional materials of Indian films like Sanam Teri Kasam and Raees on streaming platforms.
The ban has sparked mixed reactions among Indian audiences and industry analysts, with concerns about the impact on cultural exchange and creative collaboration between the two countries.
