Pakistani Stars Face Renewed Instagram Ban India.

July 3, 2025 kasheef

After a brief return that surprised fans, the Instagram accounts of several popular Pakistani celebrities are once again blocked in India. Fans who recently gained access to profiles of stars like Yumna Zaidi, Danish Taimoor, Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, and others are now met with the familiar message: “User not found.” This renewed restriction has left many Indian admirers disappointed, especially as they had just begun to interact with fresh updates from their favorite stars. While no official reason has been given for the reimposed ban, the development underscores the ongoing digital divide between the two neighbouring countries.

Pakistani Celebrities Face Fresh Instagram Ban in India After Brief Reprieve

Had once again been blocked. This move comes barely a day after the same profiles were mysteriously restored, sparking speculation of a quiet thaw in digital relations between the two neighbouring nations.

Among the blocked accounts are some of Pakistan’s biggest television and film stars, including Yumna Zaidi, Danish Taimoor, Mawra Hocane, Ahad Raza Mir, and Saba Qamar. Indian fans who attempted to access their Instagram handles were met with the message: *“Account not available in India.

The re-blocking follows a surprising 24-hour window on Tuesday, July 1, during which many previously restricted Pakistani Instagram accounts, Twitter profiles, and even YouTube channels were briefly visible again in India. Channels such as Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo — long favourites among Indian viewers for their compelling drama serials — became accessible once more. The return of celebrity accounts sparked excitement among fans and online communities, many of whom celebrated what seemed to be a silent reversal of the earlier restrictions.

But the celebrations were short-lived.

By Thursday morning, the restrictions were back in full force. The association issued a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the brief unblocking of Pakistani content “an insult to the martyrs of terrorism” and demanding.

“A country that harbours terrorists and targets our soldiers should not be allowed to export its art and culture to us,” the AICWA wrote in its appeal. “We urge the government to take strict and irreversible action against all Pakistani digital content platforms.”

The digital crackdown on Pakistani artists was first implemented in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, in which several Indian security personnel lost their lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor — a swift and decisive counter-terrorism mission. The incident triggered a wave of outrage across the country, especially when several Pakistani celebrities publicly criticised India’s military action, calling it aggressive and unwarranted.

Their comments did not sit well with the Indian public or government authorities. Shortly thereafter, access to their social media profiles was restricted in India, with Meta (Instagram and Facebook’s parent company) and Twitter (now X) complying with legal orders to geo-block specific content.

What makes the current situation particularly confusing is the partial lifting — and then reimposition — of the ban. While Instagram and Twitter have again restricted access to Pakistani celebrities’ content, major YouTube channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo continue to be visible to Indian users. Viewers can still stream popular Pakistani dramas and shows, indicating a selective rather than blanket ban.

This inconsistency has led to questions about the Indian government’s long-term digital policy regarding Pakistan. Some believe that the temporary lifting of restrictions earlier this week was a technical glitch or an oversight by social media platforms. Others argue that it may have been a test run or a subtle attempt to gauge public reaction.

Whatever the case, the emotional rollercoaster for fans of Pakistani content has been real. Indian admirers of stars like Yumna Zaidi and Mawra Hocane had only just started enjoying new updates, photos, and reels when access was once again revoked. The return of the block has left many disappointed and angry, particularly among those who believe that art and culture should transcend politics.

“It’s disheartening. These actors have nothing to do with the politics or the attacks. They are just artists,” said a fan from Hyderabad who follows several Pakistani celebrities. “We watch their dramas because they are good, not because of where they come from.”

Despite the fresh ban, there has been no official statement from the Indian government explaining the reversal. Nor have the affected Pakistani artists commented on the situation, likely to avoid further escalation.

As of now, the Instagram handles of many Pakistani celebrities remain inaccessible to Indian users, and no clear timeline has been provided regarding if or when the block might be lifted again. Meanwhile, their YouTube content continues to be available — for now.