India Blocks Instagram Accounts of Top Pakistani Celebrities Amid Rising Tensions

In a fresh wave of digital censorship reflecting growing diplomatic tensions, India has reportedly restricted access to Instagram accounts of several renowned Pakistani actors and content creators, including Mahira Khan and Hania Aamir. Indian users attempting to visit 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.”

The ban appears to be part of a crackdown that follows the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals. Amidst escalating accusations and political fallout, India has stepped up measures to limit the digital presence of Pakistani voices deemed controversial or provocative.

Other well-known Pakistani actors whose Instagram profiles are no longer accessible in India include Ali Zafar, Sajal Aly, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Sanam Saeed, and Imran Abbas. The restriction has sparked concern among fans and digital rights advocates who view the move as a tightening grip on cultural and artistic exchange.

This development comes just days after India blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, citing the spread of misinformation, anti-India propaganda, and content allegedly inciting communal discord. Prominent media outlets such as ARY News, Dawn News, Samaa TV, and Geo News were among those affected by the YouTube ban.

The action against Instagram accounts is being viewed as an extension of India’s growing efforts to combat online narratives it considers hostile, especially in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam incident. While no official statement has been issued by the Indian government regarding the Instagram restrictions, Meta’s platform continues to display compliance notices tied to legal directives from the country.

As cross-border relations remain strained, the digital space between India and Pakistan is becoming yet another battleground for control over narratives and influence.

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