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Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people—25 of them tourists—Instagram has restricted access to several Pakistani celebrity accounts for users in India.
However, many Pakistani artists' profiles remain visible in the country, raising questions over the selective nature of the restrictions.
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Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir Blocked; Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam Still Accessible
Among those whose Instagram profiles are no longer available in India are top Pakistani stars Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Ali Zafar, Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas, Momina Mustehsan, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas, Ayeza Khan and Sajal Aly. Attempting to view their pages from India shows a message that reads:
"Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."
In contrast, Fawad Khan, Mawra Hocane, Dananeer, Ahad Raza Mir, Danish Taimoor, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Pasoori artists Ali Sethi and Shae Gill still have their Instagram accounts fully accessible to Indian users.
Social Media Users Question the Selective Blocks
The selective blocking has sparked conversations online, with users wondering why only some accounts have been restricted.
“Only Mahira Khan and Hania Aamir’s Insta blocked. What about other Pak actors and cricketers?” wrote one user. Another demanded, “Ban Pakistani artist Fawad Khan’s Instagram account.”
Instagram Blocks Follow Government Ban on Pakistani YouTube Channels
This wave of Instagram restrictions comes shortly after the Indian government banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news networks like Dawn News, Geo News, Samaa TV, and ARY News. These channels were taken down for allegedly spreading provocative, communally sensitive content and misinformation against India.
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Background: The Pahalgam Attack
The surge in online restrictions follows the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran, near Pahalgam. A group of heavily armed militants opened fire on tourists, leaving 26 dead. The attack is considered the worst in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks and a chilling reminder of earlier decades of terrorism.
