In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, India took action against Pakistani digital content, including restricting access to the Instagram profiles of several Pakistani celebrities. This followed a ban on Pakistani YouTube channels and TV dramas. Celebrities like Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, Fawad Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, and Babar Azam, who enjoy considerable popularity in India, had their accounts blocked.
Recently, some of these restrictions have been eased, and certain Pakistani celebrities’ Instagram accounts are now accessible to Indian users. Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor are among those whose profiles are now visible.
However, the restrictions persist for some. The accounts of Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Atif Aslam remain inaccessible to Indian users. This action was preceded by a ban on Fawad Khan’s film ‘Abir Gulaal’ and restrictions on other Pakistani media. The film industry’s opposition to the film’s release and criticism of Diljit Dosanjh for working with Hania Aamir further highlighted the tensions.