KARACHI: India has blo­cked access to several Pakis­tani entertainment channels and social media accounts on Wednesday, including Insta­gram profiles of prominent actors, amid escalating digital restrictions following a deadly attack in Indian-held Kashmir, Dawn.com reported.

The decision, which has not been officially announced by the Indian government as of now, appears to be a response to the tragic events that unfolded on April 22, when a horrific attack in Pahalgam led to the deaths of 26 Hindus.

Users attempting to access Instagram pages of Pakistani celebrities such as Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Ali Zafar, Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas and Sajal Aly are now met with a message: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”

The latest measures follow India’s earlier crackdown on Pa­­kistani news and digital me­­dia. On Monday, the Indian Mi­­nistry of Home Affairs blo­cked 16 Pakistani YouTube cha­­n­­nels, including those of major broadcasters such as Dawn, ARY News, and Samaa TV.

Several independent creators, journalists, and even sports and podcast channels were also targeted.

Indian news sources, such as Times of India, reported on Wednesday’s restrictions, noting that some Pakistani actors’ accounts — like Fawad Khan’s and Wahaj Ali’s — remain accessible. This suggests selective enforcement, perhaps due to specific legal guidelines, according to the Indian media.

The restriction of Pakistani entertainment content — which includes dramas largely devoid of political messaging — has drawn criticism from the audience who see it as a step away from cultural diplomacy.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2025