Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan are the newest Pakistani celebrities to fade from Instagram in India. When followers attempt to entry their profiles, a stark message seems: “Account not accessible in India. It is because we complied with a authorized request to limit this content material.”
The digital blackout deepens with the suspension of Fawad Khan’s upcoming movie Abir Gulaal, additionally starring Vaani Kapoor. Scheduled to launch on Could 9, the movie has now hit a useless finish. The film Abir Gulaal, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, is not going to be allowed to launch in India, PTI reported citing sources.
This transfer follows a wave of restrictions amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror assault. Instagram accounts of different distinguished Pakistani artists — together with Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, Imran Abbas and Sajal Aly — are actually additionally blocked in India.
That is a part of a broader crackdown. The Indian authorities beforehand banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading provocative content material and disinformation in opposition to India, its Military, and safety forces. Shoaib Akhtar’s in style YouTube channel, with over 3.5 million subscribers, was additionally taken down.
Collectively, the banned channels amassed an viewers of practically 63 million. The checklist contains main broadcasters like Daybreak Information, ARY Information, Bol Information, Geo Information, and Samaa TV. YouTube channels operated by well-known journalists resembling Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq have been additionally blocked for Indian customers.
Amid the digital freeze, the Indian authorities has additionally issued a stern letter to the BBC, criticising its protection of the Pahalgam assault. The objection? Referring to the attackers as “militants” as a substitute of terrorists. The federal government acknowledged it’ll proceed to watch the outlet’s reporting intently.
