'This is because we …' reads Instagram accounts of Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Ali Zafar and other Pakistani influencers after ban in India

Instagram has blocked the accounts of several Pakistani social media models and influencers in India. Some of the prominent names include influencer Hania Aamir , actress Mahira Khan , and actor-singer Ali Zafar . When Indian users try to access these accounts, they see a message stating: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”

The move is likely linked to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. While there is no official confirmation, a similar action was taken earlier this month when the Indian government blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. Those channels were banned for allegedly spreading provocative, communally sensitive content and circulating false or misleading narratives against India. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting then issued the blocking orders based on recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs.


16 Pakistani YouTube channels blocked in India

As mentioned above, the Indian government blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. Several prominent Pakistani media outlets, including Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and Geo News, have been affected by the ban, along with individual creators like former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. Indian users trying to access these channels now see a message saying that the content has been restricted following a government order concerning national security or public order.


“This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order. For more details about government removal requests, please visit the Google Transparency Report (transparencyreport.google.com),” the message reads.


Pakistan government Twitter account withheld in India

The Indian government has also withheld access to the Twitter account of the government of Pakistan. A message on the Pakistan government’s Twitter account reads “Account Withheld, @GovtofPakistan has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.”