The social media handles of a number of well-known Pakistani celebrities were once more blocked in India on Thursday, a day after they had become available briefly. Instagram and Twitter handles of some of the biggest stars like Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Shahid Afridi, Mawra Hocane, and Fawad Khan were no longer available for Indian viewers by Thursday morning.
The unexpected re-blocking followed a shocking twist on Wednesday, when Instagram and YouTube reopened a large number of Pakistani accounts for Indian users, fueling speculation that authorities had quietly reversed the earlier digital blockade. Ask ChatGPT
Indian users saw the accounts of famous Pakistani celebrities Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, Danish Taimoor, Fawad Khan, and Shahid Afridi return on July 2. Famous Pakistani YouTube channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo also became briefly available.
Reappearance Sparks Speculation of Ban Rollback in India
Supporters quickly noticed the renewed visibility of these social media handles and sparked online chatter suggesting that authorities had likely revoked the previous ban. However, the respite didn’t last long.
Users looking for these handles on Instagram by Thursday morning were instead presented with an error message that stated, “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
This new restriction has restored the digital blackout of Pakistani content to Indian users, without any official announcement from the Indian government. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is yet to comment on the surprise reappearance and then blocking of Pakistani celebrity accounts and entertainment channels.
Restrictions Followed Backlash to Operation Sindoor Criticism
The initial censorship followed increased tensions between India and Pakistan, especially in the wake of Operation Sindoor, an Indian operation targeting terror centers in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation generated public flak from various Pakistani celebrities, prompting a backlash in India and the subsequent geo-blocking of their social media presence.
With the issue now resurfacing, social media users and digital rights observers await an official clarification regarding the fluctuating access to these accounts.
