Pakistani Celebrities Blocked in India Respond with Jokes, VPN Tips, and Calm

• A number of Pakistani celebrities' Instagram accounts were banned in India.
• Celebs responded with humour, sarcasm, and VPN suggestions.
• Some accounts and channels remain accessible, but many are restricted.

Several Pakistani celebrities have found their Instagram accounts banned in India following recent tensions between the two countries. The restriction comes in the wake of the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which India has linked to Pakistan — a claim Pakistan denies. The ban appears to be part of a larger digital clampdown on Pakistani content.

When Indian users attempt to visit the blocked Instagram profiles, a message reads: “Your user is unavailable in India… Because of a legal request, we have to restrict access to your user.”

In response, many Pakistani stars have taken to social media to share their reactions — some with sarcasm, others with humour, and a few with practical tips like using VPNs to bypass the block.

Actor Mansha Pasha posted a screenshot of the restriction notice, commenting, “Well, that took like a millisecond. Oh, well!” Ushna Shah suggested her ban may have been a result of sharing too many memes about Pakistan and India. Comedian Ali Gul Pir took a lighthearted approach, saying, “Sorry to Indian followers. Use a VPN if needed. I still love you.”

Actor and YouTuber Arslan Naseer addressed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly in a story: “Modi bro you banned me in India? What’s next? Will you complain to my Ammi?” He later jokingly blamed Fawad Khan for his own ban, comparing him to the unlucky squirrel from the Ice Age movies.

Actor Zhalay Sarhadi took a firmer stance, calling the move “desperate” and suggesting VPNs as a workaround: “By banning, what are you trying to prove!? Are you scared or something? … Also, have you heard of VPN? It’s a useful app!”

Yasir Hussain advised Pakistanis not to take the bans too seriously: “You don’t argue with embarrassed cats. You ignore them. Pakistanis should act gracefully.”

Despite the bans, not all Pakistani celebrity accounts are currently blocked in India. According to the Hindustan Times, profiles of Fawad Khan, Mawra Hocane, Atif Aslam, and the Pasoori duo Ali Sethi and Shae Gill remain accessible to Indian audiences, at least for now.

However, other notable names such as Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar have been affected. The ban also extends to major entertainment channels, including HUM TV, ARY Digital, and Geo Entertainment. When accessed from India, their social media pages display a message saying content has been restricted “because of an order from the government related to national security or public order.”

This digital crackdown follows earlier blocks on 16 Pakistani YouTube channels — including Dawn News and cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s channel — as well as the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Pakistani government. Shehzad Ghias's podcast, The Pakistan Experience, has also reportedly been affected.

While there has been no official statement from the Indian government regarding the entertainment-related bans, the trend points to increased restrictions on Pakistani digital content.

Despite the restrictions, Pakistani celebrities appear to be taking the situation in stride, relying on humour, public support, and best VPNs to keep their presence alive across the border.