LAHORE: Pakistani songs have been quietly removed from music streaming platforms in India — most notably Spotify — after the Indian government issued an advisory on May 8 directing the removal of all Pakistani content from digital media.
Popular tracks such as ‘Maand’, ‘Jhol’, and ‘Faasle’ began disappearing from Spotify India on Wednesday night, according to a report by NDTV. The purge follows heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based elements. Islamabad rejected the accusations, calling for an independent probe.
Despite a ceasefire agreement in the days since, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting invoked the Information Technology Rules to justify the ban, citing concerns over national security, sovereignty, and public order.
The advisory directed all OTT platforms, streaming services, and digital intermediaries to remove web series, films, songs, podcasts, and any other content originating from Pakistan. The crackdown has extended beyond music — Pakistani actors are being digitally erased from posters and album art.
For instance, the Sanam Teri Kasam album cover on Spotify and YouTube Music no longer features Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane; only Indian co-star Harshvardhan Rane remains. Likewise, Mahira Khan has been removed from promotional imagery of Raees, leaving Shah Rukh Khan as the sole visible lead.
Even legacy content has not been spared. Fawad Khan’s image has been cut from the Buddhu Sa Mann song from Kapoor & Sons, and the track itself is no longer accessible to Indian users. Sony Music India, which uploaded the song, has also altered the poster art.
Producer Deepak Mukut of Sanam Teri Kasam told Hindustan Times, “They didn’t ask me, it’s their decision. Whatever our government says, everyone has to follow.”
The move has reignited debate over the longstanding cultural ties between the two nations, which have weathered political tensions for decades. From ghazals to contemporary pop, Pakistani musicians have enjoyed immense popularity in India. Icons like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Nazia Hassan, Atif Aslam, Ali Sethi, and Maanu have been widely celebrated across the border.
Ironically, while original Pakistani content is being pulled, Bollywood continues to benefit from remakes of Pakistani hits — including Nazia Hassan’s Aap Jaisa Koi, Hasan Jahangir’s Hawa Hawa, and Abrar ul Haq’s Nach Punjaban, among others.
As originals disappear from Indian platforms, their Bollywood remixes remain — raising questions about cultural erasure and selective appropriation in the name of national security.
