Following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, tensions between India and Pakistan intensified. In a series of retaliatory actions, India banned several Pakistani YouTube channels, TV dramas, and even restricted the Instagram accounts of various Pakistani celebrities.
Prominent Pakistani figures, including Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, Fawad Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, cricketer Babar Azam and many more, all of whom enjoyed massive popularity across the border, saw their accounts become inaccessible to users in India.
In a recent development some Pakistani celebrities Instagram accounts have become accessible once again to Indian users after being restricted for over two months. Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor are among the actors whose profiles are now visible in India.
However, not all accounts have been restored. Prominent names like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Atif Aslam still remain inaccessible to Indian Instagram users.
India first banned Fawad Khan’s upcoming film ‘Abir Gulaal’, then restricted Pakistani YouTube content and television dramas. Film Federations in India openly opposed the release of the film and have also warned the makers of taking action against them.
In a related row, Punjabi actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh is also under fire for working with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3. Amid backlash and political tensions, the film was not released in India and is released overseas only.
