Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube Channel Blocked in India Amid Pahalgam Terror Attack Fallout
Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube channel was blocked by the Indian government on April 28, 2025, in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. The attack, carried out by militants from The Resistance Front, killed 26 innocent tourists and led to an escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan. Akhtar’s channel was among 16 others blocked by the Indian government, which collectively boasted around 63 million subscribers.
The banned platforms also included major Pakistani news outlets such as Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Raftar, Geo News, and Suno News. Akhtar, a former cricketer-turned-commentator, has long been a popular figure in India, especially for his cricket analysis and candid views on global cricket affairs. His channel, which covered various topics from match analyses to personal opinions on cricket and politics, was widely followed by Indian viewers.
The blocking of Akhtar’s YouTube channel is part of broader actions taken by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The attack on April 23, which left 26 people dead, has drawn widespread condemnation from India, including statements from political leaders and cricketers alike. The terrorist attack saw militants open fire on a group of tourists in Kashmir, further deepening the rift between the two nations.
In the wake of the tragedy, Rajeev Shukla, the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), reiterated that India would no longer engage in bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan. Shukla condemned the terrorist attack and made it clear that, given the current political climate, India would not be resuming bilateral cricket series with Pakistan in the near future. The last time India played a bilateral series against Pakistan was in 2013, and since then, their encounters have only taken place in ICC events. India’s absence from the Champions Trophy earlier this year, where all their matches were played in Dubai, further cemented this stance.
Several other high-profile Indian cricketers, including former captain Sourav Ganguly, also expressed support for cutting cricketing ties with Pakistan in light of the Pahalgam attack. Ganguly called for strict action against Pakistan, emphasizing that terrorism could not be tolerated. “100 percent, India should do this (break ties with Pakistan). Strict action should be taken. It has turned out to be a joke that such things are happening every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated,” Ganguly said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the nation following the Pahalgam attack. He assured the people of India that the government would take decisive action against the terrorists responsible. “India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth,” Modi said during a speech on April 24 in Bihar. He further added, “India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done.”
Meanwhile, tensions continued to rise between the two countries. On April 27, Pakistan sent back 23 Indian nationals who had been working with the broadcast and production team of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). These Indian nationals, including cameramen and technicians, were working for the production company handling PSL broadcasts. They returned home via the Wagah border in Lahore, a move that further strained the diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.
The blocking of Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube channel and the return of Indian nationals from Pakistan are just some of the developments in the ongoing geopolitical standoff between the two nations.
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