ISLAMABAD: India has blocked the social media accounts of several prominent Pakistani celebrities including actors and musicians following the Pahalgam attack — a move seen by many as reactionary censorship in the absence of credible evidence.
Globally recognised stars like Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, Fawad Khan, as well as television favourites including Hania Aamir, Iqra Aziz, and Ayeza Khan, are now inaccessible to Indian users. Visitors to their profiles are met with the notice: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
The ban impacts over two dozen Pakistani celebrities such as Sanam Saeed, Ali Zafar, Bilal Abbas, Saba Qamar, Hamza Ali Abbasi, and Ali Sethi — widely admired on both sides of the border for their artistic work.
At a time when art should unite people across borders, India appears to be cutting cultural ties, one Instagram account at a time. Instead of dialogue, it has opted for digital erasure, choosing censorship over engagement.
The move does little to diminish the popularity of Pakistani artists but instead underscores India’s unease with narratives it can’t control.
Among the affected is Abir Gulaal, an anticipated film starring Fawad Khan, now facing an uncertain release due to the wave of restrictions.
Though some profiles — like those of Farhan Saeed, Shafqat Amanat Ali, and actors such as Mawra Hocane and Adnan Siddiqui — remain viewable for now, they too risk being blocked.
Comedian Shehzad Ghias’s podcast The Pakistan Experience is another casualty of the clampdown.
Despite the ban, with VPNs, a global fan base, and resilient spirits, Pakistani celebrities seem largely unfazed by India’s digital barriers.
