Following escalating tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack, India imposed restrictions on various Pakistani digital content. This included a ban on Pakistani YouTube channels, TV dramas, and blocking access to the Instagram accounts of numerous Pakistani celebrities. Popular figures such as Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, Fawad Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, and cricketer Babar Azam, all with significant Indian fan bases, were affected.
In a recent development, some of these restrictions have been lifted. Several Pakistani celebrities’ Instagram accounts are once again accessible to Indian users. Among those now visible are Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor.
However, not all accounts have been restored. Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Atif Aslam’s profiles remain inaccessible. This move followed earlier actions, including the banning of Fawad Khan’s film ‘Abir Gulaal’ and restrictions on Pakistani content on YouTube and television. The film industry in India had voiced opposition to the film’s release. Relatedly, Diljit Dosanjh faced criticism for working with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’, which was ultimately not released in India.
