Instagram Accounts of Pakistani Celebrities Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam Restricted in India Following Pahalgam Attack
Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and renowned singer Atif Aslam are the latest celebrities from across the border to have their Instagram accounts restricted in India.
The move comes in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian nationals, most of them tourists.
Indian users attempting to access the Instagram profiles of both celebrities are now met with a message that reads: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.
” Atif Aslam’s official YouTube channel and X (formerly Twitter) account have also become inaccessible from within India, further signaling a broadening digital crackdown.
Atif Aslam, widely recognized for hit songs such as Aadat, Tu Jaane Na, Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Tere Bin, and Pehli Nazar Mein, has enjoyed significant popularity in India over the years.
Fawad Khan, who had previously made a successful Bollywood debut and was slated to return to Indian cinema with the upcoming film Abir Gulaal, also faced restrictions despite expressing his sorrow over the Pahalgam tragedy through an Instagram story.
“Deeply saddened to hear the news of the heinous attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrifying incident, and we pray for strength and healing for their families in this difficult time,” Khan had written, extending his condolences.
The clampdown on Pakistani artists on Indian platforms has been growing steadily. Last week, the Instagram profiles of several Pakistani public figures — including actresses Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Mawra Hocane, and singer Ali Zafar, as well as athlete Arshad Nadeem — were similarly restricted for Indian audiences.
Mawra Hocane, who starred opposite Harshvardhan Rane in the 2016 romantic film Sanam Teri Kasam, also became inaccessible on Indian social media networks.
Following the Pahalgam attack, which was the deadliest assault on the Baisaran Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack, the Indian entertainment industry reacted strongly.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), a key film industry body, imposed a blanket ban on all Pakistani artists, musicians, and technical crew members involved in Indian film and entertainment ventures. The organization called for a complete boycott, citing national security concerns.
In light of the escalating tensions, the film Abir Gulaal, which was meant to feature Fawad Khan in a prominent role alongside Indian actress Vaani Kapoor, has been banned in India. Kapoor has since deleted all social media posts related to the film.
The April 22 attack took place in the scenic meadow area near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, where armed terrorists opened fire on tourists, leading to one of the most tragic incidents in the region in recent years.