The Indian government on Wednesday evening blocked the Instagram accounts of several prominent Pakistani actors, including Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan and Ali Zafar. The move comes at a time when relations between India and Pakistan are tense. The move comes after a recent militant attack in Kashmir's Pahalgaon that killed 26 people. India has blamed Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism for the attack.
Following the incident, India has also blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. These channels have been accused of inciting hatred and communal hatred. Among the blocked stars is Hania Aamir, who is well-known to Indian audiences for her roles in popular Pakistani dramas like Mere Humsafar and Kaabi Main Kaabi Tum.
After the brutal killings in Pahalgaon, Hania Amir issued a statement condemning the violence. In it, she said, "A tragedy anywhere is a tragedy for everyone. My condolences to the families of the innocent people affected by the recent incidents... The language of grief is one. Let us always choose humanity."
ahira Khan, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 2017 with 'Raees', and popular singer and actor Ali Zafar have also been banned. However, the Instagram profiles of Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam are still visible to Indian users. However, Fawad Khan was supposed to make a comeback in Bollywood with the film 'Abir Gulal', but the release of the film in India has been cancelled.
No Pakistani actor has worked in the Indian film industry since the terrorist attack on an Indian army base in Uri in 2016. Earlier, the Indian government had banned several Pakistani YouTube channels. The digital ban is reportedly part of a series of retaliatory measures taken by the Indian government after the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgaon.
Following the attack, India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closed the Attari land border, and downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan. In turn, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines and halted all trade, including indirect trade through third countries.
In addition, Pakistan has rejected India's decision to suspend the water-sharing agreement, calling any interruption of water flow a "declaration of war." Meanwhile, the rising tension between the two countries is expected to affect cultural exchanges and the work of artists.
Many Indian viewers love the work of Pakistani actors and follow them on social media. Blocking these accounts has disrupted that connection.
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