It Was a Technical Glitch That Briefly Lifted Ban on Pakistani Celebrities’ Social Media in India

Due to a temporary technical malfunction, Indian users were able to access the social media accounts of Pakistani celebrities like Mawra Hocane, Ahad Raza Mir, and Saba Qamar for a few hours.

However, Indian authorities clarified that this restoration was unintentional, and the accounts have since been blocked again following legal requests.

When Indian users try to open these Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts now, they receive a message stating the content is unavailable in India due to legal restrictions.

The brief restoration sparked speculation that India might be easing digital bans on Pakistani entertainment content, especially as Pakistani dramas began trending again in India. However, government sources confirmed that the reactivation was a technical error, and the accounts were deliberately blocked again within hours.

This reinstatement followed a strong backlash from Indian groups like the All Indian Cine Workers Association, which demanded a permanent ban on Pakistani content, citing national security concerns after heightened India-Pakistan tensions and military operations such as Operation Sindoor.

Pakistani celebrities affected include Fawad Khan, Hania Aamir, Mawra Hocane, Yumna Zaidi, Shahid Afridi, and others. Their social media presence in India remains restricted as of now, reflecting ongoing political sensitivities between the two countries.