The sudden reimposition of the ban has sparked confusion and outrage online, with fans questioning the lack of transparency and calling it a setback to cross-border cultural exchange.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, July 3, 2025 — Social media accounts of several prominent Pakistani celebrities, including actors Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Mawra Hocane, and former cricketer Shahid Afridi, were once again blocked in India on Thursday, just a day after restrictions were briefly lifted. The move followed massive backlash in social media.
By Thursday morning, Indian users found the Instagram and Twitter (X) profiles of these public figures inaccessible. The reinstated ban came after a short-lived reappearance on Wednesday, July 2, which had sparked speculation about a possible softening of digital restrictions. Popular Pakistani YouTube channels such as Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo had also briefly become visible to Indian audiences before being restricted again.
🚨 BIG BREAKING NEWS
Modi govt BLOCKS all Pakistani handles on X again ❌
— YouTube BAN also continues. pic.twitter.com/X7jJIO9CaX
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) July 3, 2025
The fleeting visibility prompted a wave of excitement among fans across social media platforms. Indian users took to X to share their joy with posts like, “Finally, Hania Aamir’s Insta is back! Missed her updates,” and “Fawad Khan’s account is visible again—is the ban over?” However, the optimism was short-lived. By Thursday, attempts to access the profiles displayed messages such as: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
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The original restrictions were imposed in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a high-profile Indian military offensive targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Several Pakistani celebrities had publicly condemned the operation, triggering a wave of backlash in India and the subsequent geoblocking of their content.
The reimposition of the ban has sparked disappointment and confusion among Indian fans. One user on X wrote, “Why block Hania and Mahira again? This is so unfair.” Another commented, “Just when we thought things were normal, the ban is back. Ridiculous! #PakCelebs.”
Seems YouTube, Instagram ban on Pakistani creators is quietly lifted by Modi Govt. No more Sindoor in blood.
Is this the right time to question the Govt @BJP4India? Or should people wait for Jay Shah to hug Shoaib Akhtar? pic.twitter.com/ANRUinOnyX
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) July 2, 2025
So far, there has been no official communication from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting or any other government authority explaining the temporary lifting or the renewed enforcement of the ban. The lack of clarity has led to frustration and speculation. “No explanation, no transparency. Why play with fans’ emotions?” one user posted with the hashtag #SocialMediaBan.
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Others expressed concern about the broader implications of the censorship. “Pakistani dramas and celebs have a huge fanbase here. This ban hurts more than it helps,” said one post that gained traction online.
The recurring shifts in access to Pakistani content reflect the volatile state of India-Pakistan relations, where diplomatic tensions increasingly spill over into cultural and digital spaces. As of now, the accounts and channels remain blocked in India, with no indication of whether the situation will change again in the near future.
