Pakistani Celebrity Social Media Accounts Reblocked in India After Temporary Access

In a puzzling digital incident, the Instagram and X accounts of multiple Pakistani celebrities were once again restricted in India on Thursday, just a day after becoming momentarily accessible. Notable personalities like Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mawra Hocane, and Fawad Khan had their profiles reblocked for Indian users.

The temporary reappearance of these accounts on Wednesday had fueled speculation about a possible reversal of the ban set against the backdrop of escalating Indo-Pak tensions. However, government sources clarified that the accounts' visibility resulted from a technical error. According to a source quoted by IndiaToday.in, the accounts visible on X, YouTube, or Meta would soon be inaccessible again, stating, “Some technical glitch led to the unblocking. Rectified now.”

Presently, attempts to view these profiles on Instagram display a message indicating: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”

Previously, on July 2, several Pakistani YouTube channels and Instagram profiles, including those of celebrities such as Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor, briefly reappeared. Leading entertainment channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo also became accessible, sparking extensive online discussions.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has yet to issue an official explanation concerning these developments. The initial restrictions were enforced following India’s Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This action followed significant criticism from Pakistani public figures, which led to widespread demands for their content to be blocked in India.

The rapid reblocking of these accounts highlights the delicacy of cross-border digital interactions amid persistent geopolitical tensions.