ISLAMABAD: In a move highlighting growing tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has launched a digital crackdown by blocking numerous social media accounts that support the Pakistan Army or criticize Indian policies. The action has affected a wide range of individuals, including politicians, journalists, celebrities, and athletes from Pakistan.
According to notices sent by X (formerly Twitter), the Indian government cited violations of the country’s Information Technology Act, 2000, in its legal complaints against these accounts.
Sources indicate that the targeted profiles promoted pro-Pakistan Army content and national defense narratives. Those affected include political leaders, journalists, social media influencers, and former security personnel.
One of the most high-profile figures impacted is Senator Sherry Rehman, a senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Her X account was blocked in India—a move she publicly denounced, branding India a “Hindutva Republic” and condemning the shrinking space for dissent and dialogue.
The crackdown extends beyond politics. The X accounts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have also been blocked within India. Additionally, Instagram and YouTube accounts of renowned Pakistani cricketers—Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, and Basit Ali—have been restricted or banned, showcasing the wide scope of the censorship effort.
The move has drawn strong criticism from Pakistani social media users and human rights organizations, who have denounced it as a violation of freedom of expression and labeled it a “cowardly” attempt to silence dissent.
In response, platform X stated that it is legally obligated under Indian law to restrict content only within Indian territory. The company emphasized that the content remains available globally and reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of expression, noting that users are notified before any government-requested action is taken.
