Indian Songs Banned on Pakistani FM Radio Stations After Pahalgam Terror Attack

Pakistani FM Radio Stations Respond to Escalating Tensions

In a significant move reflecting rising regional tensions, Pakistani FM radio stations have officially stopped airing Indian songs. The directive comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of multiple Indian security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. The ban reflects not just political hostility, but also a broader cultural distancing that’s emerging between the two nations.

This development has stirred controversy in media and cultural circles across both countries. The action highlights how soft diplomacy, often exercised through entertainment, collapses during times of heightened conflict.

Pahalgam Terror Attack: A Tragic Catalyst

The Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred in late April 2025, targeted a convoy of Indian armed forces near the Pahalgam area of Kashmir. Armed militants opened fire, resulting in several fatalities and injuries. The attack was quickly condemned by international bodies, but its repercussions are now being felt beyond the geopolitical and into the cultural realm.

In response, Pakistani media regulators have implemented stricter broadcasting guidelines, which include suspending all Indian songs from being played across Pakistani FM radio stations.

PEMRA’s Immediate Directive

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued an urgent circular to all national and regional FM channels. The notification instructed radio stations to cease broadcasting Indian songs until further notice. PEMRA cited “national interest” and “cultural sovereignty” in its order, underlining the need to take a firm stance after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Statement from the Ministry of Information

In an official press release, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information stated:

“Broadcasting Indian music at a time of national mourning and regional aggression compromises our collective cultural identity and sends the wrong message to our people.”

The Ministry also hinted at further policy changes if bilateral relations with India continue to deteriorate.

The sudden ban has left Pakistani FM radio stations scrambling for alternative content. FM broadcasters, particularly in urban centers like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, had long relied on Indian songs to attract young listeners.

FM DJs and content producers are now required to replace Bollywood tracks with local or international (non-Indian) music. Many stations are revisiting old Pakistani classics and promoting emerging local talent.

According to Ahmad Farooqi, a station manager at a leading Karachi-based FM station:

“This move drastically alters our playlist strategy. Indian songs formed about 30–40% of our daily airplay. We now have to fill that gap creatively.”

Shifts in Content Specifications Across FM Variants

Different types of Pakistani FM radio stations—music-based, infotainment, news, and youth-oriented—are being affected uniquely. Here’s a breakdown of how the ban on Indian songs has impacted their format

Music-Based FM Channels

• Specification Update: Complete replacement of Indian songs with Pakistani pop, folk, and Sufi music.

• Content Features: More emphasis on live performances and local band spotlights.

• Price for Advertising Slots: Approximately PKR 15,000–35,000 per minute depending on station tier.

Infotainment Channels

• Specification Update: Added educational segments to increase listener retention.

• Content Features: Segments now include national music heritage discussions.

• Price Range: PKR 10,000–25,000 per ad slot.

Youth-Centric FM Stations

• Specification Update: Shift toward EDM, Western pop, and underground Pakistani music.

• Content Features: Listener-driven playlists, increased interaction via social media.

• Price Bracket for Promotions: PKR 20,000–40,000 per 30 seconds of airtime.

Religious and Regional FM Stations

• Specification Update: No impact for some, others have removed fusion tracks with Indian elements.

• Content Features: Expansion of Quranic recitations, naat programming, and regional language content.

The removal of Indian songs from Pakistani FM radio stations carries cultural implications far beyond the airwaves. Music had long been one of the few unifying mediums between Indian and Pakistani audiences. Bollywood tracks were as popular in Lahore as they were in Lucknow.

Pakistani artists who collaborated with Indian musicians are also under scrutiny. Joint music ventures, YouTube collaborations, and regional concerts may be postponed or cancelled due to the worsening bilateral climate post-Pahalgam terror attack.

While some Pakistani citizens support the cultural boycott following the Pahalgam terror attack, others see the ban on Indian songs as unnecessary politicization of entertainment.

Public sentiment on social media is divided:

• Supporters argue that cultural disengagement is essential during times of national crisis.

• Opponents claim that art and culture should remain apolitical, especially in a region where so few bridges of understanding remain.

It remains to be seen whether this ban on Indian songs by Pakistani FM radio stations will be a short-term reaction or a long-term policy stance. Historically, media blackouts have followed every major Indo-Pak conflict, only to be lifted months later in periods of de-escalation.

Analysts predict more restrictions could follow if tensions rise further. Meanwhile, local music industries in both countries are expected to see a temporary surge in engagement as stations and streaming services adapt.