Social media ban on Pakistani celebs reinstated in India after brief visibility

A brief reappearance of Pakistani content in India was due to a technical enforcement delay, officials said, adding that platforms were promptly instructed to restore blocks under a May 8 advisory citing national security and public order concerns

The Centre has reimposed restrictions on Pakistani celebrities and media content on social platforms after a brief technical lapse made several accounts accessible to Indian users. The move follows an emergency compliance audit triggered by the unexpected visibility of geo-blocked content.

On July 2, Indian internet users noticed that Instagram profiles of popular Pakistani actors — including Saba Qamar, Mawra Hocane, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor — were temporarily viewable. Prominent YouTube channels operated by cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar, along with media houses like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo, also appeared online.

By today morning, however, access to these accounts had been restricted once again. Platform messages citing “compliance with legal requests” now greet users attempting to view the previously accessible pages.

According to officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the brief access window was caused by a technical delay in platform-level enforcement rather than any change in the government's policy. The officials stated that all platforms had since been directed to restore the original restrictions without delay.

India tightens digital border controls

This digital blackout aligns with the Indian government’s advisory issued on May 8, 2025, under the IT Rules, 2021. The advisory instructed OTT platforms and digital intermediaries to suspend the distribution of Pakistani-origin content, citing national security, sovereignty, and public order concerns.

Over 18,000 Pakistani social media accounts — including those of celebrities, influencers, and entertainment companies — have been geo-blocked as part of this directive.

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) sharply criticized the temporary visibility of Pakistani accounts, calling it deeply disrespectful to the victims of cross-border terrorism. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the body reiterated its demand for a complete digital and cultural boycott of Pakistan, highlighting past terror incidents including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the Pulwama bombing.

The latest crackdown comes in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The assault, claimed by The Resistance Front — a Pakistan-based proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba — reignited national anger and prompted renewed calls to sever cultural links.

Government officials have reiterated that digital platforms must maintain consistent enforcement of Indian legal directives, especially when national security is involved.