On June 2, Pakistani artists like Saba Qamar and Mawra Hocane’s Instagram accounts were accessible in India, prompting AICWA’s letter to PM Narendra Modi to demand a permanent ban on Pakistani content post-Pahalgam attack. Accounts were re-blocked on July 3.
In This Article :
Sudden Reappearance of Accounts
On July 2, 2025, Indian netizens noticed the Instagram accounts of Pakistani actors, including Saba Qamar, Mawra Hocane, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor, becoming accessible after a ban imposed in May 2025. This followed the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, prompting India’s Operation Sindoor against terror camps. The brief visibility, attributed to a technical glitch, also saw Pakistani YouTube channels like Hum TV and ARY Digital temporarily accessible.
AICWA’s Swift Response
The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) reacted strongly, writing to PM Narendra Modi on July 2, 2025, demanding a “complete digital blackout” of Pakistani artists and platforms. Labeling the reappearance an “insult” to martyrs and victims of terror attacks like 26/11 and Pahalgam, AICWA condemned Pakistani artists for allegedly criticizing India’s Operation Sindoor. They urged a permanent ban on collaborations, citing no economic or cultural loss to India.
Reimposed Restrictions
By July 3, 2025, the accounts were re-blocked, displaying “Account not available in India” due to legal compliance, following an emergency government review. Over 18,000 Pakistani handles, including those of Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar, were restricted, though some YouTube channels remained accessible. Accounts of Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Hania Aamir stayed blocked throughout.
Broader Context and Sentiment
The incident reignited debates amid tensions, with hashtags like #BanPakContent trending on X. AICWA’s letter reflects India’s firm stance against cross-border cultural ties, intensified by Diljit Dosanjh’s backlash for collaborating with Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3. The episode underscores the volatile India-Pakistan digital-cultural divide.
By – Manoj