By Martin Shwenk Leade
Just a day after Pakistani celebrities鈥 social media profiles briefly became accessible to users in India, they have once again been blocked. Instagram accounts of popular actors such as Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor were briefly visible. YouTube channels of former cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar, along with entertainment platforms like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo, were also temporarily accessible.However, by Thursday morning, these accounts were once again restricted. Users searching for them were met with the message: 鈥淎ccount not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.鈥滱ICWA demands complete banEarlier on Wednesday, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) renewed its call for a total and permanent ban on Pakistani nationals and entertainment content in India. The association sent an official appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a full digital and cultural disconnect from Pakistan.In a post on X (formerly Twitter), AICWA said the reappearance of Pakistani actors and channels was 鈥渁n emotional assault鈥 on the families of terrorism victims. The group specifically named Mawra Hocane and Yumna Zaidi, calling their social media presence 鈥渁 direct insult to the sacrifice of our martyred soldiers鈥.Terror attacks and recent tensions citedAICWA referred to previous terror attacks such as 26/11, Pulwama, Uri, and the recent Pahalgam tragedy, which killed 26 civilians. It also raised concerns about statements allegedly made by Pakistani celebrities after India鈥檚 recent Operation Sindoor, claiming that instead of showing remorse, some artists had spoken against India.Live EventsNo loss to India, says associationThe association highlighted that Pakistan has already banned Indian films and content since the Pulwama attack. 鈥淚ndia has diplomatic and cultural ties with nearly 200 countries. Cutting off Pakistan will not harm our economy or entertainment industry,鈥 AICWA said. It called for a nationwide digital blackout of Pakistani media, a ban on all collaborations involving Pakistani citizens, and a permanent cultural disconnect as a tribute to Indian soldiers.Inputs from agencies (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onpakistani celebrities blocked in indiayumna zaidi instagram banahad raza mir account blockedmawra hocane india banpakistani actors social media blockaicwa pakistan ban appealindian ban on pakistani channelsshoaib akhtar youtube blockedshahid afridi account restrictedpakistani entertainment ban in india(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless
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