Pakistan bans Indian content on TV, radio

Pakistan has banned all Indian content on television and radio networks, media regulators said yesterday, its latest salvo after recent scuffles in the disputed Kashmir region spilled into the world of Bollywood and celebrity.

The state-run media authority said in a statement it would suspend the licences of any TV channels or radio stations without notice for flouting the ban.

The regulator said the government had authorised the ban, which will come into force from today, and that it has also launched a crackdown on the illegal sale of Indian satellite TV.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have soared in recent weeks after India blamed Pakistan for a raid on an army base in Indian Kashmir on September 18.

Delhi responded with what it called "surgical strikes", infuriating Islamabad.

The move comes after weeks of tit-for-tat retaliation playing out in the entertainment arena, with Pakistani actors and technicians banned from working on Bollywood sets, then Bollywood films banned in Pakistani cinemas, then last week Indian cinemas refusing to show any films with Pakistani artists.

Several Pakistani artists have been forced to leave India after Hindu nationalist groups piled up the pressure on Indian filmmakers.

Meanwhile, Pakistan yesterday warned of "appropriate action" if India violates the Indus Water Treaty and said it is closely monitoring the situation, amid reports that New Delhi may revisit the key water sharing accord.

"Appropriate action will be taken in line with the Treaty in case of any violation by India," Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said at the weekly briefing.