Outlook Business Desk
Instagram accounts of multiple Pakistani public figures, including actors and cricketers were found blocked in India following rising online concerns over sensitive and provocative content.
Atif Aslam, a well-known singer with a strong fan base in India, is among the Pakistani celebrities whose Instagram account have been blocked for Indian users.
Instagram accounts of major stars like Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan and Hania Aamir have also been blocked and are no longer accessible in India.
More celebrities whose accounts are now blocked include Sanam Saeed, Ali Zafar, Momina Mustehsan and Bilal Abbas—all prominent faces in Pakistani entertainment.
Other stars like Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas and Sajal Aly—popular for their roles in TV dramas and films—also had their Instagram handles blocked in India recently.
Actors Mahira Khan, Maya Ali and Wahaj Ali are also among the prominent names whose Instagram profiles were made inaccessible for Indian users.
The Indian government cited the spread of provocative and communally sensitive content as the reason for blocking these social media accounts.
These measures were taken following the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 16 civilians, prompting a strong response from India.