Govt cites routine reviews behind selective restoration; public reactions mixed
In a significant development following months of digital restrictions, the Indian government has partially lifted its ban on several Pakistani YouTube channels and the social media accounts of selected artists. The move comes amid routine reviews of content restrictions, as part of what officials describe as standard protocol.
Earlier this year, under the Operation Sindoor initiative, India had blocked more than 50 Pakistani YouTube channels and restricted access to numerous Pakistani celebrities’ Instagram accounts. The crackdown followed a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives and intensified diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
On May 8, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had formally advised all OTT platforms and digital services to remove any content originating from Pakistan, including films, series, podcasts, and music. Prominent Instagram accounts of celebrities like Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Ali Zafar, Iqra Aziz, and Sajal Aly were among those restricted.
Now, some of these accounts, such as those of Mawra Hocane, Yumna Zaidi, Ahad Raza Mir, and Danish Taimoor, appear to be accessible again for Indian users. Likewise, several Pakistani entertainment YouTube channels-including Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo-as well as those run by former cricketers Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, and Rashid Latif, have been restored.
A senior government official, quoted in media reports, stated: “Account bans are never meant to be permanent. All restrictions undergo regular review as per our policies.”
Despite the partial rollback, the Instagram accounts of several notable artists like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Hania Aamir remain blocked in India, sparking confusion among netizens.
The restoration has triggered a wave of public backlash on social media. Hashtags like #BanLiftedWhy, #JusticeForPahalgamVictims, and #NoAppeasementPolicy are trending, with many users questioning the government’s consistency in addressing national security concerns.
In response, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing disapproval. “It is deeply concerning and absolutely unacceptable that social media accounts of Pakistani artists like Mawra Hocane and Yumna Zaidi are once again visible in India,” the association said in a statement.
The government continues to stand by its position that restrictions are evaluated periodically and adjusted based on evolving assessments of content, platform behavior, and geopolitical context.
