New Delhi, May 5: Instagram has blocked the accounts of several Pakistani artists, including actors Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar, in India. A message on the account of Pakistani singer Abida Parveen now reads: "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."
This move follows a broader crackdown by India on content originating from Pakistan. Earlier, the Indian government banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for promoting provocative and sensitive content, along with misinformation targeting India and its armed forces. This action came in the aftermath of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead. According to sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recommended the ban as part of efforts to curb cross-border terrorism and safeguard national security.
In addition, Pakistani actors have not appeared in Indian films since 2016, when the Indian Army base in Uri was attacked by terrorists. Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's film Abir Gulaal, which was set to release in India, has also been shelved. This move comes after India imposed restrictions on cultural exchanges in response to escalating tensions related to terrorism, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
