Pakistani FM stations stops airing Indian Music amid ongoing tensions between the countries

Indian music will no longer be played on Pakistani FM radio stations from Thursday due to tensions between the two nations over the Pahalgam terror assault, which claimed 26 lives.   

According to PBA Secretary General Shakeel Masood, "the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has stopped airing Indian songs on Pakistani FM radio stations across the country with immediate effect."  

FM radio stations in Pakistan broadcast Indian music every day, mainly those by legendary artists like Arijit Singh,Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar etc.

"The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has stopped airing Indian songs on Pakistani FM radio stations across the country with immediate effect," PBA Secretary General Shakeel Masood said, according to PTI.

This move was lauded by Pakistan's information minister Atta Tarar, who termed the PBA's decision as “patriotic”.

Mr. Tarar wrote to the PBA, saying, "The PBA's patriotic gesture is highly appreciated and reflects the collective sentiment of the entire nation.”

He said banning Indian songs on FM stations of Pakistan shows that "we all stand united in promoting national unity and supporting core values during such testing times".

After terrorists killed 26 people, primarily tourists, in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, tensions between India and Pakistan increased.

Global leaders swiftly and widely condemned the incident, expressing solidarity and support to India and criticizing this cruel act of terrorism.

India launched a number of major steps against Pakistan a day after the assault, including downgrading diplomatic ties due to cross-border connections to the slaughter, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and closing the sole land border crossing in functioning at Attari.

India has also revoked all the visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27 and advised Indian nationals residing in Pakistan to return home.

India also banned Pakistani airline planes from using its airspace on Wednesday.

In response to India's measures, Pakistan also announced on Thursday that it will close its airspace to all Indian airlines and suspend trade with New Delhi.

Written By: Aadrika Tayal