Key Highlights
- Instagram bans profiles belonging to Pakistani actors in India
- 16 YouTube channels from Pakistan banned
- India takes strong action after Kashmir terror attack
Indian fans wake up to find top Pakistani celebs like Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan suddenly vanish from their feeds. When fans in India try to access these profiles, they see a message saying, “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” This comes amid ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Kashmir on April 22. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Pakistani Celebrities Blocked On Instagram In India
Several big names from Pakistan’s entertainment industry are no longer accessible to Indian Instagram users. These include:
- Hania Aamir
- Mahira Khan
- Ali Zafar
- Sanam Saeed
- Bilal Abbas
- Iqra Aziz
- Imran Abbas
- Sajal Aly
While fans are upset about not being able to follow their favorite stars, it’s important to note that not all Pakistani celebrities are blocked. For example, Fawad Khan and Wahaj Ali’s profiles are still visible to users in India.
16 Pakistani YouTube Channels Also Banned
Instagram is not the only social media platform subject to this ban. Additionally, 16 YouTube channels from Pakistan have been blacklisted by the Indian authorities. These channels were allegedly spreading false narratives and sensitive content targeting Indian security forces and creating communal tension.
Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube Channel Taken Down
One of the most prominent takedowns was the YouTube channel of former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, which had over 3.5 million subscribers. His channel was removed as part of this wider crackdown on digital content coming from Pakistan.
Why Is This Happening?
The restrictions come after the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. In response, India has taken a number of aggressive measures to censor sensitive content and false information online, such as banning YouTube channels and social media accounts associated with Pakistan.
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What It Means For Indian Users
If you try to search for these Pakistani actors or YouTube channels from India, you’ll likely be met with an “Account not available” message. This is due to a legal compliance request made by the Indian government to restrict content that could potentially incite unrest or misinform the public.
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