Pakistani FM stations ban Indian songs amid escalating tensions after Pahalgam terror attack
Pakistani FM radio stations have stopped broadcasting Indian songs on Thursday following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror incident that claimed 26 lives.
"The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has stopped airing Indian songs on Pakistani FM radio stations across the country with immediate effect," stated PBA Secretary General Shakeel Masood, PTI news agency reported.
Pakistani audiences regularly enjoy Indian songs, particularly those by renowned artists such as Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, and Mukesh, which are featured daily on local FM radio stations.
Pakistan information minister Atta Tarar supported the PBA's action amidst suggestions that the government had instructed the association to halt Indian song broadcasts on all FM stations, considering the current state of bilateral relations.
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The relationship between India and Pakistan deteriorated after terrorists killed 26 individuals, primarily tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.
The April 22 attack took place in Baisaran, a scenic tourist destination in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, where terrorists opened fire, killing mostly tourists.
The attack, the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, targeted mostly tourists and was claimed by
The Resistance Front
(TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). TRF later denied involvement in the attack.
International leaders promptly condemned the attack and expressed their support for India while denouncing terrorism.
Following the incident, India implemented several retaliatory measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border crossing, and reduction in diplomatic relations due to cross-border connections to the attack.
India additionally restricted its airspace to Pakistani airline operations on Wednesday.
Tarar wrote to the PBA stating, "The patriotic gesture of the PBA is highly appreciated and reflects the collective sentiment of the entire nation."
He noted that prohibiting Indian songs on Pakistani FM stations demonstrates that "we all stand united in promoting national unity and supporting core values during such testing times."
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