Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 28 lives. The aftermath has seen a wave of actions targeting Pakistani artists and content creators in India. Recently, actor Fawad Khan and singer Atif Aslam’s Instagram accounts were banned in the country. The move is part of a broader crackdown on Pakistani talent in response to the attack.
Instagram Accounts Banned
The ban affects several prominent Pakistani artists, including Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, who are no longer accessible on Instagram in India. Their profiles now display a message stating they are “not available in India” due to compliance with a legal request. This decision follows a pattern of restricting Pakistani content creators on social media platforms.
The list of affected artists extends beyond Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam. Other notable names include Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Ali Zafar, Iqra Aziz Hussain, and Sajal Ali, whose Instagram handles were also blocked in India after the Pahalgam attack.
Popularity in India
Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam were particularly popular in India before the ban. Fawad Khan appeared in Bollywood films like “Khoobsurat,” “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” and “Kapoor & Sons,” leaving a lasting impression on Indian audiences. Atif Aslam, with hits like “Nazar Mein,” “Tera Hone Laga Hoon,” “Jeena Jeena,” and “Tere Bin,” captured the hearts of many music lovers in the country.
Meta’s Statement
Meta issued a statement explaining that it received a legal request to restrict the profiles, which it complied with. The company acted on the request, resulting in the profiles being made inaccessible in India.