Tensions between Pakistan and India continue to escalate as India intensifies its digital crackdown on Pakistani figures, with the latest move being the blocking of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s social media account in India. This step follows previous actions by Indian authorities, who had already restricted the accounts of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) from being viewed in the country.
The digital censorship comes in the wake of rising diplomatic friction, particularly after India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and blamed Pakistan for the tragic Pahalgam incident in Indian-occupied Kashmir, where 26 people lost their lives in a deadly attack on April 22. Despite no concrete evidence, Indian authorities swiftly pointed fingers at Pakistan, further souring already strained relations.
Bilawal Bhutto’s Defiant Stance Sparks Controversy
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, known for his outspoken stance on national sovereignty and regional issues, recently addressed the Indian government in a powerful statement. Modi, listen — the Indus River is ours. Either our water or their blood will flow in it,he declared, responding to India’s abrupt move to revoke the decades-old water-sharing treaty. This bold message has since drawn significant attention and appears to have prompted Indian authorities to block his account on X (formerly Twitter).
Pakistani Politicians Respond to Digital Suppression
Reacting to the digital censorship, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman condemned the move, stating that India’s decision to block Bilawal Bhutto’s account is a desperate attempt to silence the truth about the Pahalgam incident, which she says has exposed the Indian government’s narrative.
Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon echoed similar sentiments, labeling the move a new example of cowardice and proof that the Modi government fears the influence and global reach of Pakistani voices on digital platforms.
Media and Artists Targeted
India’s digital crackdown has not been limited to political figures. In a sweeping censorship campaign, Indian authorities have also blocked prominent Pakistani news outlets and social media channels, including:
- Geo News, Pakistan’s largest private news broadcaster
- The News, a leading English daily
- Situation Room host Mubashir Hashmi
- Lahore Qalandars, a Pakistan Super League (PSL) cricket franchise
Additionally, social media accounts of renowned Pakistani celebrities, such as actresses Mahira Khan and Hania Aamir, and celebrated athlete Arshad Nadeem, have also been rendered inaccessible in India.
India’s Claim to Free Speech Questioned
India has long portrayed itself as the world’s largest democracy and a global advocate of freedom of expression. However, the recent wave of digital censorship against Pakistani voices has sparked criticism from human rights advocates and media watchdogs, who question the country’s commitment to these principles.
By blocking media channels, artists, athletes, and politicians, India appears to be tightening its control over narratives that challenge its official stance on Kashmir, cross-border relations, and regional security.
Background: Pahalgam Attack and Indus Waters Treaty Fallout
The trigger for the latest diplomatic escalation was a mass shooting in Pahalgam, a tourist destination in Indian-occupied Kashmir. India, without presenting any verified evidence, was quick to allege Pakistani involvement. In response, it unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a vital agreement brokered in 1960 to ensure the peaceful sharing of the Indus River system.
Pakistan condemned the attack unequivocally, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an offer for impartial international investigation, stating that Pakistan was open to full cooperation to uncover the truth. However, India rejected the offer and instead launched a campaign of censorship and misinformation.
A Growing Divide
The ongoing digital suppression by India has raised alarm bells across diplomatic circles, media freedom organizations, and civil rights groups. Many see this not just as a bilateral issue but as part of a broader pattern of censorship, suppression of dissent, and control over public discourse within and beyond India’s borders.
As India-Pakistan tensions escalate, particularly over Kashmir and water rights, the digital battleground has become a new front in the geopolitical conflict, where narratives, influence, and access to information are being fiercely contested.
