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Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
No role beyond a facilitator: World Bank's Ajay Banga on IWT suspension
World Bank President Ajay Banga refuted reports suggesting that the World Bank may intervene and compel India to overturn its decision of holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Press Information Bureau (PIB) quoted Ajay Banga on X saying, 'We have no role to play beyond a facilitator. There's a lot of speculation in the media about how the World Bank will step in & fix the problem, but it's all bunk. The World Bank's role is merely as a facilitator.' We have no role to play beyond a facilitator. There's a lot of speculation in the media about how the World Bank will step in & fix the problem but it's all bunk. The World Bank's role is merely as a facilitator -World Bank President, Ajay Banga on #IndusWaterTreaty Suspension… — PIB India (@PIB_India) May 9, 2025 On April 25, a day after India held the treaty in abeyance, Pakistan announced its intention of reaching the World Bank, seeking intervention. Rejecting the suspension as 'unilateral and illegal', Islamabad's foreign office added that any attempt to curb Pakistan's water share would be deemed an 'act of war'. The statement serves as a setback to Pakistan as tensions between the two nations escalated following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, after which the two nuclear-armed neighbours downgraded their diplomatic ties and India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. What is the Indus Waters Treaty The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, signed on September 19, 1960, in Karachi. The deal was brokered by the World Bank after nine years of negotiations. Earlier on May 4, India curtailed the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab and is planning similar measures on the Kishanganga Dam along the Jhelum. Pahalgam terror attack The attack took place in Pahalgam's Baisaran valley when 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed by terrorists. Following this, India retaliated and announced a series of punitive measures, including the shutdown of the Attari border. The government also cancelled visas for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. The government also blocked over 15 Pakistani YouTube channels and Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including Hania Amir and Mahira Khan. After the ties were downgraded between the two countries, India retaliated and launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 and targeted terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). After the missile strikes, Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling, resulting in the death of at least 16 civilians.
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
After social media crackdown, India also bans Pakistani web series, movies, and songs on OTT; everything to know
Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left several Indian civilians and a Nepali national dead, the Indian government has ramped up its digital crackdown on Pakistani figures and content. As part of the response, Instagram accounts of several prominent Pakistani celebrities — including actors Hania Amir, Ali Zafar, and Mahira Khan — have been blocked from public access within India. Further escalating the pressure, the government on May 8 issued a formal advisory to all OTT platforms and digital streaming services, instructing them to immediately remove any web series, films, music, podcasts, or other content that originates from Pakistan. The advisory, framed under the IT Rules, 2021, cites national security concerns and aims to prevent the dissemination of content deemed harmful to India's sovereignty or public order. The advisory, issued under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, cites national security concerns as the primary reason for the ban. It applies to all forms of digital content — films, series, music, podcasts, and more — whether available freely or through paid subscriptions. 'In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect,' read the advisory dated 8 May. While the directive is advisory in nature and not legally binding, it reinforces the government's expectation that platforms comply with Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules, which mandates efforts to prevent content that could threaten India's sovereignty or international relations. Major platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, YouTube, and Spotify are now expected to review and potentially remove Pakistani-origin content in accordance with the advisory. Previously, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) had sharply criticised Pakistani actors such as Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan for what it described as 'anti-India' remarks following Operation Sindoor, claiming the actors publicly denounced India's military response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which killed several civilians. 'These statements are not only offensive to our country, but they also belittle the sacrifices made by innocent civilians and our armed forces. AICWA maintains a complete and unwavering ban on all Pakistani artists, producers, and financial collaborators within the Indian entertainment industry. Indian professionals will not engage with Pakistani talent or share any public or global platform with them,' the statement said. The move aligns with broader digital restrictions that followed the Pahalgam attack. Authorities had earlier blocked access to 16 Pakistan-linked YouTube channels, including those of news outlets and journalists. Platforms also removed the YouTube channels of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and sports figures like Shaheen Afridi and Shoaib Malik from Indian viewership.
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Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Pakistani troops violate ceasefire for 11th night, Indian Army retaliates
On the intervening night of May 4 and May 5, Pakistani troops continued their ceasefire violations for the 11th consecutive day along the Line of Control (LoC). The latest round of firing comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following the downgrading of diplomatic ties after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistani troops engaged in unprovoked small arms firing in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately, according to an official statement. Ceasefire violations along the LoC and the International Border (IB) have been rare since the two countries renewed the ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021. Pakistan violates ceasefire again On April 24, Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked small arms firing along the LoC. This followed India's decision to downgrade diplomatic ties, suspend the Indus Waters Treaty agreement and shut down the Attari border for key movement. India-Pakistan tensions escalate The April 22 terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people — mostly tourists — in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, triggered a strong response from the Indian government. Condemning the attack, the Centre announced a series of measures against Pakistan. These included the cancellation of visas for all Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and instructions for all Pakistani citizens residing in India to leave. Since then, tensions have escalated further. The Indian government has blocked access to Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including Hania Amir and Mahira Khan. It has also taken down over 15 Pakistani YouTube channels accused of spreading false, communal content and misinformation.
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Business Standard
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Pak troops continue ceasefire violations along LoC; India Army retaliates
Pakistani Army posts at the Line of Control (LoC) continued to violate the ceasefire for the eighth consecutive night following an escalation in tensions between the two neighbouring countries after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. According to a statement from the Indian Army, "During the night of 01-02 May 2025, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms firing from posts across the Line of Control opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Naushera, and Akhnoor areas of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Indian Army troops responded in a calibrated and proportionate manner." Earlier, Pakistani troops had opened fire in several other districts, including Uri and Sunderbani. India-Pakistan ties deteriorate India-Pakistan relations have been worsening after 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed in a terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam's Baisaran valley. Following the attack, both India and Pakistan announced the suspension of several agreements, including the Indus Waters Treaty Agreement and the Simla Agreement. Along with this, while India cancelled visas for Pakistani nationals living in India, Pakistan announced the closure of its airspace to Indian flights. The key Attari-Wagah border has also been closed for movement. The Centre also blocked access to Instagram channels of several Pakistani celebrities on Wednesday. The list included Hania Amir, Mahira Khan, and Ali Zafar among others. On Thursday, US State Secretary Marco Rubio spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Rubio expressed his condolences over the loss of lives in the valley and urged both sides to work together to ensure peace and security in the region. He also urged Shehbaz Sharif to condemn the terrorist attack and cooperate with India in the investigation of the attack.
NDTV
02-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Hania Amir Reacts To Viral "Fake" Statement On Pahalgam Terror Atatck: "Assigning Blame Without Proof Only Deepens Divides"
Quick Take Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Hania Amir's Instagram account is restricted in India amid tensions. A viral post falsely claimed she requested Modi to unrestrict accounts. Hania clarified the statement is fake and misrepresents her views. Following the Pahalgam terror attack and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, several Pakistani artistes' Instagram accounts had been restricted in India. Hania Amir is one of those celebrities whose Instagram account is not accessible in India now. Amid this, a statement went viral which was "falsely" attributed to her. The viral post claimed that Hania Amir has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the decision of restricting their Instagram accounts. Hania Amir shared a long post on her Instagram Stories, clarifying that the post is "fake" and she hasn't made any such comment. Hania Amir began the note with these words, "Recently, a statement has been falsely attributed to me and is being widely circulated on social media. I want to address this directly: I did not make this statement, and I do not endorse or align with the words being linked to me. It is entirely fabricated and misrepresents who I am and what I believe". Hania added, "That being said, this is a deeply sensitive and emotional time. My heart goes out to the innocent lives lost and the families affected by the recent tragedy. Pain like this is real, and it deserves empathy-not politicisation. In times like these, it's easy to let emotions cloud our judgment, but we must remember: the actions of extremists do not represent an entire nation or its people. Assigning blame without proof only deepens divides and distracts from the real need for compassion, justice, and healing". "To my beloved supporters, your love means everything to me. I kindly ask everyone to check the truth before sharing and to approach these difficult times with kindness and clarity. Let us honor those impacted by choosing empathy, truth, and togetherness. I remain committed to spreading positivity and respect in all that I do. With sincere condolences and hope for peace," she concluded. Hania Amir's Instagram account is not accessible in India but her statement has been shared on X by many fans. Take a look: Hania Aamir/Amir on instagram issued a public statement over fake statements that are being posted on social media platforms using her name/pretending to be her! — resplay era 🤸🏻♀️ (@rayainalif) May 1, 2025 Along with Hania Amir, Ali Zafar, Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas, Momina Mustehsan, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas, and Sajal Aly's Instagram accounts had been blocked in India. Fawad Khan, who was supposed to make his Bollywood comeback with Abir Gulaal, had also found himself embroiled in controversy since his film wouldn't be released in India on the scheduled date. On April 22, 25 Indian tourists and a Nepalese citizen were killed in the deadliest terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The terror attack has ignited a renewed demand to ban Pakistani artistes working in India. Earlier, after the 2016 Uri attack, Pakistani artistes were banned in India. However, the Bombay High Court ruled in favour of cross-border cultural exchange and said that this petition had "no merit in it" in 2023.
