All Pakistani accounts on X have been blocked in India after briefly being accessible up to now few days, official sources confirmed on Thursday. The transfer is available in continuation of India’s escalating digital and diplomatic restrictions in opposition to Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror assault, wherein 26 vacationers had been killed by terrorists affiliated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy, The Resistance Entrance.
After the assault, India responded with a sequence of retaliatory measures, together with the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and the launch of Operation Sindoor, concentrating on 9 terror launch pads inside Pakistan.
Among the many measures was a wide-reaching crackdown on Pakistani media and social media content material — encompassing accounts of actors, cricketers, and web influencers — throughout Instagram, X, YouTube, and different platforms.
Though a number of of those accounts had not too long ago turn into accessible once more, prompting criticism and questions on their restoration, they’re now re-blocked.
When customers in India attempt to entry these profiles, they’re met with a message stating: “Account Withheld. (Title of the account) has been withheld in India in response to a authorized demand.”
On Wednesday, customers briefly gained entry to X and Instagram accounts of a number of Pakistani actors and web personalities, together with Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor, in addition to YouTube channels run by former cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar.
Nevertheless, accounts belonging to Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Hania Aamir remained blocked all through.
Moreover, the ban on YouTube additionally stays, sources mentioned.
Earlier in Might, the Indian authorities issued an advisory directing all OTT platforms and digital intermediaries to discontinue content material originating from Pakistan.
The advisory, dated Might 8, 2025, and issued below the IT Guidelines, 2021, acknowledged that “content material hosted or streamed should not threaten India’s sovereignty, integrity, nationwide safety, or public order.”
It explicitly instructed media platforms to take away “web-series, movies, songs, podcasts and different streaming content material” produced in Pakistan, whether or not on subscription-based or free platforms.
Following the transient restoration of entry to some Pakistani accounts, the All Indian Cine Employees Affiliation (AICWA) made an pressing enchantment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a complete blackout of all Pakistani social media presence in India.
The affiliation referred to as the visibility of such accounts an “insult to the sacrifice of our martyred troopers” and an “emotional assault” on Indians who’ve misplaced family members to terror assaults orchestrated by Pakistan.
Citing main terror incidents like 26/11, Pulwama, Uri, and the latest Pahalgam assault, AICWA labelled Pakistan a “terrorist nation” and condemned Pakistani artists who, in keeping with them, have “shamelessly spoken in opposition to India as an alternative of exhibiting regret.”
Of their enchantment, AICWA put forth three particular calls for — an entire digital blackout of all Pakistani accounts and media channels in India; a ban on all future collaborations or promotions involving Pakistani nationals; and a everlasting cultural disconnect from Pakistan as a tribute to the Indian Armed Forces and the households of martyrs.