The digital landscape between India and Pakistan has turned increasingly silent for some of its most prominent faces. In a move that has sent ripples across social media and entertainment industries, India has blocked the Instagram accounts of several popular Pakistani celebrities, including actors Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar. This digital blackout comes in the wake of heightened tensions following a recent terror attack in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 people.
This action on social media follows a broader crackdown by the Indian government, which earlier this week saw the ban of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. These channels, including prominent news outlets like Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and Geo News, were reportedly blocked for allegedly disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, along with false and misleading narratives targeting India and its security agencies. The blocking of the Instagram accounts appears to be an extension of this digital offensive.
When users in India attempt to access the Instagram profiles of Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar, they are met with a stark message: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” This message confirms that the blockage is a direct result of a legal directive.
Besides Mahira Khan, known for her Bollywood debut in “Raees” alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Hania Aamir, who enjoys a significant fanbase in India for her Pakistani dramas, and actor-singer Ali Zafar, several other Pakistani celebrities have reportedly faced similar restrictions. These include Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas, and Sajal Aly. Interestingly, some popular Pakistani personalities, such as Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, and Wahaj Ali, have not faced the same restrictions, leading to speculation about the specific criteria behind the account blocks.
The timing of these digital blocks, following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, suggests a retaliatory measure by India. The attack, for which a Pakistan-based terror outfit’s proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility, has significantly escalated tensions between the two nations. India has already taken several other steps, including reportedly suspending the Indus Water Treaty and downgrading diplomatic ties.
The blocking of these popular Instagram accounts has evoked strong reactions from fans in India. Many have expressed disappointment at the sudden inaccessibility of their favorite Pakistani stars’ profiles. Some have questioned the effectiveness of such measures in addressing the underlying issues, while others have resorted to using VPNs to bypass the restrictions. The selective nature of the bans, with some celebrities’ accounts remaining accessible, has also fueled curiosity and debate among social media users.
This digital crackdown highlights the increasing use of social media and online platforms as a new front in the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. The blocking of not only news and entertainment channels but also individual celebrity accounts signifies a more stringent approach to controlling the flow of information and content from across the border. The long-term impact of these digital walls on cultural exchange and people-to-people connections remains to be seen.
Key Highlights:
- India has blocked the Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar.
- This action follows the blocking of Pakistani YouTube channels and is linked to heightened tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack.
- The blocked accounts display a message stating they are “not available in India” due to a legal request.
- Some other Pakistani celebrities’ accounts, like Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, remain accessible in India.