Instagram accounts of many Pakistani actors blocked in India

In a recent development reflecting growing tensions between India and Pakistan, Instagram accounts belonging to several prominent Pakistani actors and content creators including well-known figures such as Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan, Sajal Aly, Sanam Mody have become inaccessible to users based in India.

When Indian users attempt to view these profiles, they are met with a notification that reads, “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” This restriction appears to be the result of official directives issued to Instagram, although the specific nature of the legal request has not yet been publicly disclosed.

The restriction of these accounts comes shortly after a tragic and deadly incident in Pahalgam, where a terror attack claimed the lives of 26 individuals. While no direct connection between the incident and the account blocks has been formally confirmed, the timing suggests a link to the heightened diplomatic and security tensions between the two neighboring countries.

Many of the affected accounts belong to high-profile figures in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, who have large fan followings across the subcontinent.

This isn’t the first time digital content involving Pakistani celebrities has faced limitations in India, but the scale and timing of this latest wave have drawn significant attention.