ISLAMABAD: India has continued its crackdown on Pakistani voices supporting the Pakistan Army or exposing Indian propaganda.
The Modi’s regime has blocked multiple accounts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). These include accounts of Pakistani politicians, journalists, celebrities, and athletes.
X notified users that India had filed legal complaints under the Information Technology Act of 2000. These complaints accused users of violating Indian law by posting pro-Pakistan Army content or criticizing Indian state actions.
Sources confirm that India targeted accounts promoting Pakistan’s national defense narrative. Blocked users include political leaders, former officials, and social media activists.
In the latest move, it blocked the accounts of Senator Sherry Rehman, a senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). She condemned the move and called India a “Hindutva Republic.” She also criticized the shrinking space for dissent and dialogue.
India has truly changed, existentially it seems. Communication is key for stable, mature states, but to be blocked by the #HindutvaRepublic is a badge of honour. Little to say to people who question the existence of Pakistan 🇵🇰 Sane people should still continue talking to each… pic.twitter.com/aMQwhoSmuV
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) May 17, 2025
India also blocked the X account ‘Exposed Propaganda’, which was exposing Indian propaganda on a daily basis. Interestingly, X’s own fact-checking system had several times endorsed ‘Exposed Propaganda’s’ claims of debunking misinformation spread by Indian accounts.
آخرکار انڈیا نے میرا اکاؤنٹ بھارت میں
بین کردیا ہے
ایلن مسک کے نام نہاد ایکس نے انڈیا میں میرا اکاؤنٹ انڈین حکومت کی درخواست پر بند کردیا ہے الحمداللہ میرے لئیے یہ فخر کا مقام ہے کہ دشمن ہمارے سچ کی طاقت سے گھبرا کر اکاؤنٹس بین کروا رہا ہے pic.twitter.com/4MJrNedJUD— Expose Propaganda (@EPropoganda1) May 17, 2025
India recently ordered X to block over 8,000 accounts within its borders. X complied under pressure. The Indian government threatened heavy fines and possible jail time for local staff. Although X disagreed with the directive, it followed the order to avoid legal action.
This censorship extends beyond politics. X has also blocked the accounts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Former premier Imran Khan, and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. India also restricted the Instagram and YouTube accounts of cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, and Basit Ali.
Many Pakistani users and human rights groups have condemned the crackdown. They called it an attack on free speech and labeled the action cowardly.
X clarified that it only blocked the content within India. The posts remain accessible in the rest of the world. The platform reaffirmed its support for free expression. It also said users are notified before it responds to government takedown requests.
