Pak pulls up TV channel for Asha Bhosle songs while Dhurandhar 2 track tops its Spotify
A tribute to Asha Bhosle triggered regulatory action in Pakistan, with the government citing a ban on Indian content on television. Yet Indian songs continue to trend on streaming platforms like Spotify, exposing a paradox between broadcast restrictions and digital access.
Singing legend Asha Bhosle's death has exposed a contradiction in neighbouring Pakistan. The Islamic Republic's media regulator cracked down on a television channel for airing songs of Asha Bhosle, even as Indian Bollywood music continues to dominate Pakistani streaming charts.
After Pakistani broadcaster, Geo News, aired some of Bhosle's songs after her death, the country's media regulator, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) served a notice to it for wilfully defying the Pakistan Supreme Court's order banning Indian content on TV channels.
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2's hit track Jaiye Sajana is at Number 3 on Pakistan Spotify's chart for April 3 to April 9. While the Dhurandhar 2 song by Jasmine Sandlas, Satinder Sartaaj, and Shashwat Sachdev holds the third spot, another Indian artist, Karan Aujla's song Boyfriend is at Number 6 on the same list.
WHY DID PAKISTAN PULL UP A TV CHANNEL OVER ASHA BHOSLE SONGS?
Pakistan's media watchdog, PEMRA, issued a show-cause notice to Geo News. The charge was that the channel aired Indian songs and film visuals during a tribute to Asha Bhosle.
The regulator termed it a "wilful defiance" of rules. These rules stem from a 2018 Supreme Court order, which bars Indian content on Pakistani television.
Geo News defended itself. It said the segment was a tribute, not entertainment programming. The channel argued that Bhosle's legacy goes beyond borders. But PEMRA warned of strict action, including a potential suspension of the channel's licence.
WHAT IS THE 2018 BAN ON INDIAN CONTENT IN PAKISTAN?
The roots go back to 2018. Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled in favour of a ban on Indian media content.
This included films, songs, and TV shows. PEMRA was tasked with implementing it. Since then, the rule has stayed. The rationale behind the rule was national interest. Authorities said it would promote local industry. Critics, however, have long called it restrictive.
So, this gives rise to the question, while Indian songs are banned in Pakistan, how songs from India are trending and being listened to in the country?
WHY IS DHURANDHAR 2 MUSIC TRENDING ON SPOTIFY IN PAKISTAN?
While Pakistani TV faces restrictions, digital platforms do not come into its ambit. That's why the song from Dhurandhar 2 is trending on Spotify in Pakistan.
The PEMRA's mandate is limited to licensed broadcast and electronic media, like TV channels, cable operators, radio, and DTH services. The 2018 Supreme Court-backed ban on Indian content applies strictly to these platforms. Digital streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, or global OTT services, like Netflix, operate outside PEMRA's regulatory framework, according to a September 2025 report in the Karachi-based daily Dawn.
Apart from the Dhurandhar 2 song, Jaiye Sajana, and Karan Aujla's song Boyfriend, Navjot Ahuja's Khat is at Number 5 on the latest list released by Spotify Pakistan on April 13.
The Dharandhar 2 album, composed by Shashwat Sachdev, has struck a chord with fans worldwide. Naturally, its songs are topping the charts in Pakistan, just like they are trending globally.
So the bottom line is, Pakistanis are hooked to the Dhurandhar 2 songs, and they are listening to them on streaming platforms like Spotify. But, since the PRMRA framework does not apply to online streaming services, Indian songs and other content can be accessed by the users in Pakistan. This has created the paradox we discussed in the story.