#BanPakContent Row: Govt Denies U-Turn On Pakistani Content Ban Amid Backlash, Blames 'Auto Unblock' Due To Tech Glitch

Several Instagram handles of Pakistani celebrities, including actors like Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi and Danish Taimoor, were banned again in India after it appeared that they were briefly restored on Wednesday (July 2). Soon, backlash followed and many questioned if the authorities in charge had "forgotten" about the Pahalgam terror attack that led to the ban on the social media handles of the Pakistani celebs in the first place. The hashtag 'ban Pak content' also trended on X, with many calling for the immediate restoration of the ban on the access to Pakistani celebs' social media handles in India.

Also read: Pak Actors' Insta Accounts Blocked Again After 'Ban Pak Content' Trends

Clarifying in the matter, sources confirmed that all social media handles belonging to Pakistani celebs have now been blocked in India. It has been clarified further that there was no "un-block" order issued and some tech issues led to "auto-unblocking" of the handles. The block was back on in a "couple of hours", it is learned. 

AICWA requested immediate ban on Pakistani celebs' Instagram handles

After several Pakistani accounts were made visible, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a ban on the "social media presence and media channels of all Pakistani nationals, artists, influencers, and entertainment entities in India."

Commenting on the how Instagram handles of several Pakistani accounts in India were visible, AICWA said it is an "insult to the sacrifice of our martyred soldiers and an emotional assault on every Indian who lost a loved one in terror attacks perpetrated by Pakistan."