In a perplexing turn of events, several Pakistani celebrities saw their Instagram and X accounts once again restricted for Indian users on Thursday, merely a day after they had briefly regained accessibility. High-profile figures like Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mawra Hocane, and Fawad Khan experienced this geo-blocking, leading to renewed discussions about the digital landscape affected by geopolitical tensions.
The unexpected availability of these profiles on Wednesday had generated speculation about a potential reversal of the ban that had been instated amid escalating Indo-Pak relations. However, sources within the Indian government clarified that the momentary access was merely the result of a technical glitch. “If you can see some accounts either on X, YouTube or Meta, they will be inaccessible in a few hours. Some technical glitch led to the unblocking. Rectified now,” a source informed IndiaToday.in.
Currently, attempts to view these accounts on Instagram prompt users to see a message stating: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” This development reflects ongoing compliance with regulations that govern digital content accessibility based on legal obligations.
This scenario is not unprecedented; on July 2, various Pakistani YouTube channels and Instagram profiles, including those of celebrities such as Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor, were also momentarily unblocked. Notably, major entertainment channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo became accessible again, leading to significant online conversations about such media interactions.
To date, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has not issued any official statement regarding this series of events. The initial geo-restrictions were enacted following India’s Operation Sindoor, a military initiative aimed at targeting terror bases across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This offensive followed intense backlash from various Pakistani public figures, resulting in widespread demands from Indian audiences to restrict their content.
The quick reversal of access to these accounts highlights the fragile nature of cross-border digital relations and the broader implications of geopolitical tensions in the region. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the complexities of such interactions remain a focal point of discussion.
