The diplomatic and entertainment blackout between India and Pakistan continues to have a domino effect—this time, on Pakistan’s television industry. With TRP (Television Rating Points) plummeting to record lows, a desperate move by one of Pakistan’s leading TV channels, HUMTV, has sparked massive outrage online.
Amid growing tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor, where dozens of terrorists were eliminated in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, India officially cut all cultural and digital ties with Pakistan. The result? Pakistani TV serials, which once thrived on Indian viewership, are now facing a dramatic decline.
Pakistani Channel’s VPN Plea Sparks Online Uproar
In a now-viral social media post, HUMTV urged Indian fans to bypass the ongoing ban using VPNs to continue watching their dramas. The channel, which once garnered 80% of its TRP from Indian audiences, now finds itself in a media crisis.
However, the appeal backfired. Indian users, already angered by Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism, took to social media platforms to lash out. Comments flooded in, calling the move “pathetic,” “digital begging,” and a “shameless plea for attention.”
Netizens Hit Back With Scathing Responses
One Indian user sarcastically wrote,
“No views, no money—so now you’re here begging from us? First IMF, now Indian netizens. How low will you go?”
Another said,
“Why don’t you use VPN and watch our shows? Maybe it’ll improve your economy a bit.”
Dozens of comments echoed similar sentiments, ridiculing Pakistan’s drama industry for seeking help from a country it frequently antagonizes.
India’s Digital Disconnection Strategy is Working
As part of India’s comprehensive response to recent terror attacks, not only were Pakistani dramas and TV channels banned, but even Pakistani actors’ social media accounts were reported and blocked in India. The cultural shutdown has begun to affect Pakistan’s media revenue and global digital footprint.
HUMTV not coming slow. pic.twitter.com/mYnmCpYgoG
— Saman Tariq (@stariq88) May 13, 2025With no response yet from HUMTV after the backlash, it’s clear that the strategy of appealing to Indian audiences via VPN has spectacularly backfired.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s attempt to salvage its TV ratings by reaching out to Indian viewers amid political hostility shows the industry’s growing desperation. But in the face of national sentiment, even the most popular dramas are finding no audience—or sympathy—on the other side of the border.
