Pakistani film stars Hania and Mahira's Instagram accounts blocked in India

The Indian government is tightening the noose around the Pakistani nationals after the horrific Pahalgam terrorist attack.

In a follow-up to several Pakistanis being sent across the border back home, the tough action is now bleeding into the digital landscape as well, with the Instagram accounts of many Pakistani artists now stand blocked and inaccessible in India.

The accounts of Pakistani actors, including Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan, are no longer accessible to users in India.

Actor and singer Ali Zafar's social media accounts is also no longer accessible to users in India.

The text on the Instagram pages of these artists reads, "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."

When the news broke that several Pakistani artists’ Instagram pages have been blocked in India after government action, Indian fans had one burning question — what about Hania Aamir? Unfortunately for these fans, they won’t be able to enjoy any more of Aamir’s content without a VPN because her account is no longer accessible in India.

She’s not the only celebrity to have their account restricted by the Indian government — fans of Mahira Khan, Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas and many others can’t open their favourite celebrities’ accounts either. But somehow, fans seem to be hardest hit by her account being blocked.

This, of course, sparked a wave of despairing memes on Indian social media, because there’s nothing Gen Z does better than make memes in times of crisis. And a crisis it seems to be, as Indian fans lament their government’s action and wonder how this will solve anything.

Many were just plain upset. They won’t be able to check out Aamir’s account anymore or laugh at her videos.

However, the Instagram account of actor Fawad Khan, and 'Pasoori' hitmakers Ali Sethi and Shae Gillare still accessible, raising doubts if the authorities are still catching up on certain accounts or if the blockade is based on the GPS location.

After the terror attack in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam last week, tensions have escalated between India and its neighbour Pakistan.

Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem's Instagram account blocked in India

Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem's Instagram account has also blocked in India.

Nadeem's Instagram account displayed a blank page with an statement explaining the decision.

"Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."

Last week, the reigning Olympic men's javelin throw champion has declined two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra's invitation to compete in the inaugural NC Classic event scheduled in Bengaluru on May 24.

Shoaib Akhtar and Basit Ali's YouTube channels banned

Earlier, former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Basit Ali's YouTube channels have also been banned by the Indian government in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

In contrast, the account of former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi (4.5 million followers), who mocked India's security forces by questioning their efficiency on a Pakistani television, is still accessible in India.

Moreover, many other Pakistani YouTube channels have been banned in India for provocative and communally sensitive content, along with false and misleading narratives targeting India, its Army and security agencies. The other banned channels include Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News HD, and Razi Naama.

Indo-Asian News Service