Several prominent Pakistani celebrities, including Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, and Sanam Saeed, have had their Instagram accounts blocked in India, highlighting the deepening diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Indian users attempting to access these profiles are now met with a message stating: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” Other actors impacted by the restriction include Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas, and Sajal Aly. However, accounts belonging to Fawad Khan and Wahaj Ali remain accessible in India for now.
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These restrictions come in the wake of heightened digital crackdowns by Indian authorities following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. India has accused Pakistan of supporting the militants involved in the attack—a claim Pakistan has vehemently denied.
This isn’t the only instance of digital censorship. India has also banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, alleging they were spreading “provocative” or “communally sensitive” content. The official YouTube channel of former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, which had over 3.5 million subscribers, has reportedly been taken down as well.
These actions are part of a broader retaliatory response by India, which has also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, reduced diplomatic staff at its High Commission in Islamabad, and cancelled visas issued to Pakistani citizens.
So I got Banned in India! ……. Thank you, Modi bro, What’s next? Ammi ko shikaayat lagao gay ? 🙃
— Arsalan Naseer (@ArslanNaseerCBA) April 30, 2025
In retaliation, Islamabad expelled Indian diplomats and military personnel, revoked visas for Indian nationals—except for Sikh pilgrims—and closed the main border crossing from its side. Pakistan has also expressed its willingness to participate in a credible and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam incident.
Here’s how social media users reacted:
Asim azhar right now pic.twitter.com/JblJvpHGue
— Coco (@mujhaycryaraha) April 30, 2025
Blocking fashion bloggers and drama actors is part of Indi*n government’s ploy to stop their population’s exposure to our art and our artists. Because when you can’t view a nation’s art and culture, that’s when you dehumanize them.
— mishal (@lafz_ilfaz) April 30, 2025
Hania Amir rn pic.twitter.com/XB0EcqxWrm
— BUNTY. (@atang_waddi) April 30, 2025
the humiliation hania aamir has had to go through has added 7 years to my life.
— a (@prickytwatling) April 30, 2025
pakistani celebrities getting banned in india is so funny, these idiots pumped money into pr, released diplomatic statements and whatnot only to get banned😭
— Ariha Fatimah Arain (@arihafatimah) April 30, 2025