New Delhi, May 2, 2025 – The Instagram accounts of Pakistani celebrities Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan have been abruptly blocked in India, a move that’s sent ripples through the subcontinent’s entertainment world. The bans, which hit users with a stark “content unavailable” notice, come on the heels of a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed seven people, including a local shepherd, on April 15. India’s government, pointing fingers at Pakistan-based militants, has tightened its digital grip, and these high-profile artists are caught in the crossfire.
When Indian Instagram users try to access the accounts, they’re met with a message citing a “legal request” from the Indian government. The restriction, confirmed by Meta’s regional office on May 1, applies to a growing list of Pakistani figures, including actors Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan, whose accounts were blocked earlier in April. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in a brief statement, said the action aligns with national security measures but offered no specifics on why these artists were targeted. Insiders say the bans stem from a broader crackdown on cross-border digital content, fueled by diplomatic friction after the Pahalgam attack, which India’s Home Ministry linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror group.
Fawad Khan, a heartthrob known for Bollywood hits like Kapoor & Sons, and Atif Aslam, whose soulful tracks dominated Indian airwaves in the 2000s, have millions of fans in India. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, a qawwali legend, is no less iconic, his voice a staple at Indian weddings and festivals. The sudden blackout of their social media presence has left fans staring at blank screens, with no official word on whether the bans are permanent. The move echoes earlier restrictions, like the 2016 ban on Pakistani artists working in Bollywood after the Uri attack, which also strained cultural ties.
India’s cyber regulations, beefed up under the 2021 Information Technology Rules, give the government sweeping powers to block online content deemed a threat to “sovereignty and integrity.” The Pahalgam attack, coupled with ongoing border skirmishes, has cranked up the heat. On April 20, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a démarche to Pakistan, demanding action against terror groups. The Instagram blocks, rolled out quietly over the past week, appear to be part of this hardline stance, though no public document explicitly names the artists or spells out their alleged violations.
The bans are surgical, affecting only India-based users. Outside India, the accounts remain active, with Fawad Khan posting about his latest drama series as recently as April 28. Atif Aslam, who’s been teasing a new album, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, promoting a global tour, seem unaffected in other markets. Meta, in its statement, said it complies with local laws but didn’t elaborate on the process behind the blocks. The company’s transparency report, updated last month, shows a spike in government requests to restrict content in India, with over 15,000 accounts flagged in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
For now, Indian fans are left refreshing empty pages, while the artists’ digital footprint in the country has vanished overnight. The government hasn’t signaled any plans to lift the restrictions, and with tensions simmering, more blocks could follow. The cultural bridge that music and film once built between the two nations feels shakier than ever.
The Instagram accounts of Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan were blocked in India starting April 30, 2025. The Pahalgam terror attack occurred on April 15, 2025. India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology cited legal compliance for the bans. Meta confirmed the restrictions on May 1, 2025.