India Bans Social Media Accounts of Pakistani Celebrities, Post-Pahalgam Attack
New Delhi | May 1, 2025 — In a sweeping move following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the Government of India has blocked access to the Instagram accounts of several prominent Pakistani celebrities, including veteran actress Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Bilal Abbas, Sajal Aly, and singer-actor Ali Zafar.
The ban, effective across India, prevents users from viewing these celebrities’ profiles, with the platform citing “government orders” related to national security and public order.
The action is part of a broader clampdown that also includes the blocking of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. These include well-known news and entertainment outlets such as Dawn News, Geo News, ARY News, and Samaa TV, as well as personal channels run by former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar and comedian Shehzad Ghias.
Pakistani Celebrities React
Actress Hania Aamir addressed the Pahalgam incident on social media, posting:
“My heart is with the innocent lives affected by the recent events. In pain, in grief, and in hope—we are one. When innocent lives are lost, the pain is not theirs alone—it belongs to all of us… May we choose humanity, always.”
Mahira Khan, who debuted in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees in 2017, is among the high-profile figures impacted by the ban. No Pakistani actor has worked in the Indian film industry since the 2016 Uri terror attack, after which informal restrictions were placed on cross-border collaborations.
Government Crackdown Widens
The Instagram and YouTube bans follow a series of punitive measures announced by India against Pakistan, including:
Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
Closure of the Attari-Wagah border crossing
Downgrading of diplomatic ties
Officials have cited “cross-border links” to the recent Pahalgam attack as the basis for these actions.
Ban Hits Entertainment Channels
Among the blocked YouTube channels are ARY Digital, Har Pal Geo, and Hum TV, platforms known for broadcasting some of the most popular Pakistani dramas. These channels now display a message: “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order.”
Shows like Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Humsafar, Mere Humsafar, and Tere Bin had built a loyal fanbase in India, with actors such as Mahira Khan, Wahaj Ali, and Yumna Zaidi gaining significant popularity across the border.
Fawad Khan’s Film Blocked
In a related development, the Indian release of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s upcoming Indo-Pak film Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor, has also been canceled. The film had previously been banned in Pakistan as well.
Cultural Fallout
For many fans, Pakistani dramas and cross-border film collaborations have long served as a cultural link amid strained political ties. With access now restricted, many fear the widening rift may permanently impact people-to-people engagement between the two countries.
Highlights:
India blocks Instagram accounts of Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and others after the Pahalgam attack.
16 Pakistani YouTube channels including news and drama platforms banned in India.
Hania Aamir posts emotional message calling for unity and humanity after the attack.
India suspends Indus Waters Treaty and shuts Attari border as diplomatic retaliation.
Fawad Khan’s film release in India cancelled amid rising India-Pakistan tensions.
The Eastern Times
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