In a significant digital crackdown following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the Indian government has blocked numerous Pakistani YouTube channels and Instagram accounts, citing national security and legal concerns.
Why the Ban?
The action comes in response to the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) ordered the content restrictions as a national security measure.
Blocked Political Accounts
Shehbaz Sharif — Prime Minister of Pakistan
- YouTube: Official channel blocked
- Instagram: Account inaccessible
- Reason: Government order related to national security
- X (Twitter): Still active at time of report
Blocked Instagram Accounts of Pakistani Celebrities
Several top Pakistani actors and entertainment figures have had their Instagram profiles geo-restricted in India, including:
- Fawad Khan (blocked ahead of Bollywood comeback ‘Abir Gulaal’)
- Mahira Khan
- Hania Aamir
- Ali Zafar
- Sanam Saeed
- Mawra Hocane
- Adnan Siddiqui
- Imran Abbas
- Sajal Aly
Pakistani Singers Blocked on Instagram
Even musical icons with a huge Indian fan base have been blocked:
- Atif Aslam
- Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Blocked Accounts of Pakistani Cricketers & Athletes
Instagram accounts of major Pakistani sports figures are now unavailable to Indian users:
- Babar Azam
- Shahid Afridi
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Haris Rauf
- Arshad Nadeem (Olympian)
Media Channels Banned on YouTube
India has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major national broadcasters:
- Dawn News
- Geo News
- Samaa TV
- ARY News
- 12 others (names undisclosed)
What Users See
When accessing blocked content, users in India receive these messages:
- YouTube: “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order.”
- Instagram: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
Digital Soft Power Under Fire
This digital ban reflects India’s growing stance on regulating cross-border digital influence, especially amid heightened geopolitical tensions. While it has sparked support from national security advocates, some citizens and artists have raised concerns about access to art and media.
