Pakistani celebrities like Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Shahid Afridi's Instagram and Twitter accounts have been banned again in India. These accounts were restored just a day prior.
Accounts Ban: Several Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Shahid Afridi, have had their Instagram and Twitter accounts re-banned in India. This ban was reimposed after a 24-hour restoration. While there has been no official statement from the government, this action is seen against the backdrop of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor.
Pakistani Celebrities' Accounts Banned Again
Social media accounts of Pakistani artists have once again been banned in India. On Thursday morning, the Instagram and Twitter accounts of prominent figures like Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Hania Aamir, Yumna Zaidi, Mawra Hocane, and Shahid Afridi became inaccessible in India. This situation arose just 24 hours after their profiles reappeared in India.
Ban After 24-Hour Reprieve
A day earlier, on July 2nd, social media accounts of Saba Qamar, Shahid Afridi, Ahad Raza Mir, Mawra Hocane, and other artists had become visible again in India. Along with this, YouTube channels of Pakistani entertainment channels like ARY Digital, Hum TV, and Har Pal Geo were also accessible. However, from Thursday morning, all these accounts and channels were banned again in India.
Situation Worsened After Pahalgam Terrorist Attack
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated significantly after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22nd. Security forces were targeted in this attack. Subsequently, India responded bly by launching Operation Sindoor and taking strict measures against Pakistan. As part of this, several Pakistani YouTube channels and social media accounts were banned.
No Clarification from the Government
Despite the accounts being banned again on Thursday morning, no formal statement has been issued by the government on this matter. No clear reason for this ban has been provided by social media platforms either. This situation is leading to speculation among the public and the media.
Former Foreign Secretary Raises Questions
Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal has raised questions regarding this development. He stated that if Operation Sindoor is a priority for the government, then what was the justification for removing the ban? He questioned whether the accounts and channels, which were earlier broadcasting anti-India content, had suddenly become friendly. He asserted that the government should formulate a clear policy on this.
Previous Bans
Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Indian government banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. These included major names like Dawn News, Geo News, Samaa TV, and ARY News. These channels were accused of broadcasting anti-India content. Their presence on social media was also restricted for Indian users.
