Following the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22 that claimed 26 lives, the Indian government has blocked Instagram profiles of several renowned Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Sajal Aly, and Ali Zafar.
Indian users attempting to access these accounts now receive a message stating, “Account not available in India. This change is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
Read more: India Blocks Pakistani YouTube Channels After Pahalgam Attack Coverage
The move is part of a broader digital crackdown by New Delhi, reportedly aimed at limiting Pakistan’s cultural presence in India. In addition to Instagram accounts, numerous Pakistani YouTube channels streaming dramas and entertainment have also been blocked.
Celebrities affected by this include Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas Khan, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas, and others, who have gained significant popularity in India for their roles in television dramas and films. Indian fans, particularly those who admired Pakistani stars for their cross-border collaborations, fashion, and charitable efforts, have expressed shock over the censorship.
In a peculiar twist, a viral video showed a group of Indian youths sending water bottles to Hania Aamir in mockery of the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty—a retaliatory step taken by India.
While Bollywood figures like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt condemned the Pahalgam attack, the blocking of Pakistani artists’ social media accounts signals a significant setback for cultural diplomacy.
