The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have now extended to social media, with a growing number of Pakistani celebrities having their Instagram accounts restricted in India. Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, two prominent figures in the entertainment industry, have joined a list of celebrities whose accounts are inaccessible to Indian users.
Along with Fawad Khan, the official YouTube channel and X account of Atif Aslam, known for hits like Aadat, Tu Jaane Na, Tera Hone Laga Hoon, and Tere Bin, were also blocked for Indian users on Saturday. The issue began after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which led to the tragic deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists.
Other Pakistani celebrities, including Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, Arshad Nadeem, and Mawra Hocane, saw their accounts disappear from Indian social media platforms, further fueling the growing divide. The Instagram accounts of these stars display the message: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
The terror attack, which took place in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, has prompted Indian authorities to take swift actions against Pakistani cultural figures, as the attack has been linked to militant groups in Pakistan. Fawad Khan, in response to the incident, expressed his grief on his Instagram stories, sharing his condolences and offering prayers for the victims. His message read:
“Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrifying incident, and we pray for strength and healing for their families in this difficult time.”
As a direct consequence of the attack, the film Abir Gulaal—which was set to feature Fawad Khan in a comeback role—has been banned in India. Vaani Kapoor, who stars in the film, has since deleted all her social media posts related to the project. Following the incident, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) announced a blanket boycott of all Pakistani artists, singers, and technicians working in Indian entertainment.
This ban on Pakistani figures follows a broader trend of strained cultural ties between India and Pakistan, which have seen escalating measures following the 2019 Pulwama attack. The growing restriction on Pakistani content is further intensified by national security concerns amid these ongoing tensions.
