Indian Govt Lifts Ban on Pakistani Content Creators After Pahalgam Attack

Indian Govt Lifts Ban on Pakistani Content Creators After Pahalgam Attack

It may sound surprising, but it’s true: just weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack that shook the nation, many Pakistani YouTube channels and celebrity profiles have quietly come back online in India. Remember how India reacted strongly in April–May 2025? The April 22 Pahalgam attack (26 civilians killed) led to Operation Sindoor – cross-border strikes on terror camps – and a sweeping ban on Pakistani media in India. Back then, dozens of Pakistani news channels and social media accounts were blocked to curb propaganda and misinformation. Now, that hardline digital ban has been partly rolled back. What’s going on? Let’s break it down, section by section, with practical takeaways for proud patriots.

Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane and former cricketer Shahid Afridi – two names whose Instagram/YouTube profiles were recently unblocked in India.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Tough Response

After the Pahalgam terror attack, India responded decisively on both land and online fronts. In mid-May 2025, Operation Sindoor targeted terror camps across the border. At the same time, the Indian government moved to cut off Pakistani propaganda on Indian soil. Under new IT rules, it ordered platforms to block numerous Pakistan-linked accounts overnight:

16 Pakistani YouTube channels banned – including Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, Geo News, and channels of ex-cricket great Shoaib Akhtar. Indian viewers visiting these saw a “content restricted” message.

Pakistani celebrities blocked – Instagram handles of stars like Saba Qamar, Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Ahad Raza Mir and others were barred. Social media accounts of figures who “made insensitive comments” after the attack were cut off.

Military measures too – visas halted, Attari border closed, Indus Waters Treaty paused, etc.. All told, India banned about 14,000 Pakistan-related accounts across platforms, citing national security.

These moves reflected a strong patriotic stance after our people were killed in Kashmir. For example, Mumbai’s All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) even appealed to the Prime Minister: “Pakistan channels must be cut off completely – our martyrs deserve it,” the letter said. In short, the message was clear: no leniency for enemy propaganda after the Pahalgam carnage.

The Ban Lifted: Pakistani Content Returns

Now here’s the twist – months after the clampdown, many of those same Pakistani channels and stars are back online in India. Starting this week, vigilant netizens noticed that several previously-blocked accounts were suddenly accessible again. Major media outlets confirmed the change. For instance, Instagram profiles of Mawra Hocane, Yumna Zaidi, Ahad Raza Mir, Danish Taimoor and others are viewable in India now. YouTube channels of Pakistani news networks like Hum TV, ARY Digital and Har Pal Geo can be streamed again. Even the YouTube channels of former Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar and Rashid Latif have reappeared.

What’s back online? Pakistan drama channels (on YouTube), film stars’ Instagrams, and sports accounts. For example, Mawra Hocane’s profile (once blocked) is now viewable.

What’s still blocked? Notably Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Hania Aamir, Atif Aslam, Wahaj Ali and a few others remain inaccessible. Indian fans pointed out this selective pattern right away.

No big announcement: The government never made a press release about this unblocking. It quietly happened, prompting media headlines like *“Ban on Pakistan channels lifted? Many accounts… accessible again”*.

Practical takeaway: Content bans aren’t always permanent. If you were using a VPN or missing your favorite Pakistani drama, you might have just gotten lucky. But notice which accounts came back – these are mostly celebs who haven’t been vocal about India lately, suggesting why they slipped through the net.

Why Did India Lift the Ban?

So why the sudden change? The official answer is: periodic review. Government sources told reporters that the bans from Operation Sindoor were not meant to last forever. In fact, of the ~14,000 blocked accounts, the government said any ban is temporary by law and is reviewed regularly. The key criterion: “If a platform isn’t posting anti-India content for a while, it can be unblocked,” they explained. In other words, if our own intelligence review finds a page harmless (or even inactive), the restriction may be eased.

Government line: This is standard procedure under the IT rules of 2021. During a recent review, officials noted that some Pakistani channels “had not spoken anti-India language for a while,” so they were restored.

No official statement: Importantly, no Ministry spokesman addressed this publicly. Without a press note, people on social media joked it might even be a glitch – an algorithmic mistake on Instagram or YouTube.

Strategic reasons? Some analysts suggest it could signal cooler heads prevailing after the ceasefire, or simply an oversight. But without clarity from the government, everyone is guessing.

Practical takeaway: Be skeptical of instant fixes. Just because a page is viewable doesn’t mean it’s now “friendly content.” The lifting of bans might not mean a warm thaw in relations; it could just be bureaucracy. Always check sources of information, and remember the context behind these bans.

Patriot Reactions: Outrage and Questions

Unsurprisingly, patriotic Indians have had strong reactions on social media. In the hours after the unblocking, hashtags like #BanLiftedWhy, #JusticeForPahalgamVictims and #NoAppeasementPolicy were trending on X/Twitter. Here’s what many netizens said:

“This is frustrating, confusing, absolutely weird,” one user wrote – “First you ban them for spreading hate, then quietly bring them back with no explanation. Is this justice for Pahalgam?”.

“Shameful.” That blunt reaction was echoed on multiple posts, with people accusing the government of a soft approach after a tough retaliation.

Sarcastic humor: Some joked about the timing. As one tweet noted, *“BCCI also ready to play Asia Cup in Sept… YouTube and X accounts of Pak cricketers and celebs also back.”* (implying everything Pakistani is suddenly welcome back).

Film industry voices: The AICWA’s letter to PM Modi warned this digital rollback was “an insult to the sacrifice of our martyred soldiers”. Other film bodies and actors have expressed similar pain, considering the loss of Indian tourists in Pahalgam.

Political angle: So far, no major opposition leader has publicly decried the move (likely due to lack of official info), but critics argue the government should explain this inconsistency in its “no-nonsense” stance.

Even Pakistani side had opinions. The Express Tribune (Pakistan) reported the ban-lifting as news, noting Indian viewers posted screenshots of Mawra, Ahad, and others being unblocked. Pakistani fans were certainly delighted – but they too noticed who wasn’t unbanned (Mahira, Fawad, etc.) and joked about India’s selective “B-list only” restoration.

Practical takeaway: Online sentiment matters. These debates show how digital policy can quickly become a hot topic. If you’re a content creator or influencer, be aware: posting about sensitive issues can land you in a ban or bring unexpected attention. And if you’re a netizen, use that power – hashtags and tweets are how people are holding officials to account here.

Selective Unblocking and What’s Next

One striking pattern is that some prominent names remain blocked while others are back. For example, Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Hania Aamir, Atif Aslam and a few big media channels are still off-limits. This partial rollback led to more questions: Why is Bollywood’s favorite Mahira still banned but others like Mawra are visible? Social media sleuths pointed out it seemed like only “B-list” celebrities were unblocked.

Who’s back: Pakistani TV and film stars like Mawra Hocane, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, Danish Taimoor; Pakistani entertainment channels (Hum TV, ARY, Geo); sports accounts (Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar).

Who’s still banned: Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Hania Aamir, Atif Aslam, Wahaj Ali, etc.. These remained blacked out in India.

Speculation: Observers on both sides called this “half-baked.” Some suggest the government will review those next, or it might just leave them banned indefinitely as a message.

Practical takeaway: Keep watching this space. It’s a live case of digital diplomacy. If more Pakistani accounts slip back, expect more buzz. And if some content stays locked, ask why it’s targeted – usually it’s because of specific posts or politics. For now, remember: nothing is set in stone online. Bans can lift, and bans can return, depending on the situation.

Key Takeaways and What You Can Do

Indian policy is flexible: Even strong bans can be eased. The government lifted these Pakistani accounts after an internal check. So, if you’re a patriot using social media or running a site, note that today’s blocked content might be available tomorrow (or vice versa). Stay updated with news and official advisories.

Patriotism and security: These bans and unbans are tied to national security. Remember why the bans happened – to protect our people after a deadly attack. We honor that sacrifice by supporting measures that keep India safe. But at the same time, understanding when and why the policy shifts helps us stay informed citizens.

Voice your views: Just like others, you can raise questions or praise on social media. Healthy debate on issues like this keeps our democracy strong. (For example, many patriot voices are now asking “Why now?” and “Are we appeasing or being strategic?” – these are valid patriot questions!)

Check content carefully: If Pakistani entertainment or news content is back in your feed, watch it with a discerning eye. Some channels were banned for a reason (hate speeches, propaganda). Don’t give them your clicks if they don’t respect India.

Digital diplomacy matters: This episode shows how offline events (like a terror attack) and online platforms (YouTube, Instagram) can interplay. As patriots, we should encourage our influencers and creators to engage responsibly. If an influencer (Indian or Pakistani) stirs trouble, citizens have the power to demand action.

Finally, feel free to comment below: Do you think lifting these bans is a betrayal of our Pahalgam martyrs, or a justified administrative move? Is it too soon, or the right step? Your opinion matters. And if you found this explanation useful, please share it with friends – let’s make sure patriots everywhere understand what’s happening in our digital space!