Pakistani Celebrities’ Instagram Accounts Blocked in India Amid Kashmir Tensions

Instagram has restricted access to the accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, and Ali Zafar, for users in India, following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. The attack, which killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, prompted India to attribute blame to Pakistan, leading to a wave of digital and diplomatic measures. Affected accounts display a message stating, “Account not available in India,” citing compliance with a legal request, though profiles of actors like Fawad Khan remain accessible.

The crackdown extends beyond Instagram, with the Indian government banning 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including Dawn News, Samaa TV, and Geo News, for allegedly spreading provocative content. Popular Pakistani entertainment channels like HUM TV and ARY Digital are also inaccessible on YouTube in India, impacting fans of dramas such as Humsafar. Additionally, the release of Fawad Khan’s Bollywood film Abir Gulaal has been canceled, and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees has imposed a boycott on Pakistani artists, further curbing cultural exchanges.

The measures reflect escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Attari border crossing. Hania Aamir expressed solidarity, stating, “Tragedy anywhere is a tragedy for all,” while fans on X lamented the loss of access to Pakistani stars and content. The digital restrictions, part of a broader response to the Pahalgam attack, underscore the deepening divide between the two nations.