The Indian government has blocked the Instagram accounts of leading Pakistani cricketers such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and others, following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22, 2025. This attack resulted in the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists, and prompted a significant crackdown on Pakistani social media accounts with large Indian followings. When Indian users attempt to access these profiles, they are met with a message stating, “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content”

This move is part of a broader digital clampdown that has also impacted other Pakistani celebrities, including Olympic gold medalist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and actors like Hania Aamir and Ali Zafar. The government’s actions extend beyond Instagram, as several Pakistani YouTube channels and accounts of former cricketers such as Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, and Basit Ali have also been restricted in India. Authorities cited concerns over the dissemination of “provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies” as the reason for these bans.

The restrictions come amid heightened national security concerns and reflect India’s efforts to curb the influence of Pakistani social media personalities and media outlets following the Pahalgam attack. The government has officially blocked at least 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including prominent news and sports platforms, for allegedly spreading misinformation and content deemed harmful to public order and national security.

Meanwhile, the blocked cricketers, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, are currently participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. The PSL itself is no longer broadcast or streamed live in India, further underscoring the extent of the digital and media restrictions imposed in the aftermath of the attack.