Riya Sharma 
India has experienced increased restrictions in its digital and media environment following the terrorist incident in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. Indian users started observing on April 30 that Instagram ban the profiles of prominent Pakistani celebrities Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir and Ali Zafar in India. Users from India who try to access these profiles will see a notification that declares the content unavailable for their geographic location.
The removal of Pakistani celebrity accounts from Instagram remains unconfirmed by both Meta and Indian authorities yet experts agree the ban stems from escalating tensions between these two nations after the violence occurred. The Indian intelligence has blamed Pakistan-based terror organizations for the violence leading to immediate digital restrictions.
The Indian government initiated another digital restriction by blocking 16 Pakistani YouTube channels after the initial action taken for the month. Although these channels faced allegations for broadcasting misinformation and propaganda that disturbed public order with their materials. The Pakistani government continues its strategic online campaign through the recent restriction on celebrities’ Instagram profiles that target cultural figures with international reach.
Pakistani Celebrities Instagram Ban in India
The celebrities blocked by Pakistan form the elite group of internationally acclaimed figures from Pakistan’s entertainment sector. Mahira Khan gained fame from her work in Bollywood film Raees alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Pakistani celebrity Hania Aamir and artist Ali Zafar maintain broad fan bases in both countries demonstrating an enduring cultural link despite political tension. Instagram had evolved into a respectful connection point between audiences from India and Pakistan who displayed mutual interests and cultural elements.
India has experienced increased restrictions in its digital and media environment following the terrorist incident in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. Indian users started observing on April 30 that Instagram blocked the profiles of prominent Pakistani celebrities Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir and Ali Zafar in India. Users from India who try to access these profiles will see a notification that declares the content unavailable for their geographic location.
The removal of Pakistani celebrity accounts from Instagram remains unconfirmed by both Meta and Indian authorities yet experts agree the ban stems from escalating tensions between these two nations after the violence occurred. The Indian intelligence has blamed Pakistan-based terror organizations for the violence leading to immediate digital restrictions.
The Indian government initiated another digital restriction by blocking 16 Pakistani YouTube channels after the initial action taken for the month. Although these channels faced allegations for broadcasting misinformation and propaganda that disturbed public order with their materials. The Pakistani government continues its strategic online campaign through the recent restriction on celebrities’ Instagram profiles that target cultural figures with international reach.
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The celebrities blocked by Pakistan form the elite group of internationally acclaimed figures from Pakistan’s entertainment sector. Mahira Khan gained fame from her work in Bollywood film Raees alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Pakistani celebrity Hania Aamir and artist Ali Zafar maintain broad fan bases in both countries demonstrating an enduring cultural link despite political tension. Instagram had evolved into a respectful connection point between audiences from India and Pakistan who displayed mutual interests and cultural elements.
