India Blocks X Accounts of Pakistanis

India Blocks X Accounts of Pakistanis

India Blocks Prominent Pakistani X Accounts India has blocked the X accounts of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The action, reported on May 4, 2025, comes in response to heightened tensions following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025.

The attack killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Screenshots of the blocked accounts showed a message stating they were withheld due to a legal demand. The move targets prominent Pakistani figures accused of spreading misinformation or provocative content. This follows India’s broader crackdown on Pakistani social media presence, including accounts of politicians, celebrities, and media outlets.

Pahalgam Attack Sparks Tensions
The Pahalgam attack, claimed by The Resistance Front, a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has escalated India-Pakistan tensions.

The attack in Baisaran valley, known as “mini Switzerland,” was the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike. India accuses Pakistan of backing the attack, a charge Pakistan denies. Inflammatory remarks by Bilawal Bhutto, including threats about the Indus Waters Treaty, further strained relations. Bhutto later clarified he was reflecting Pakistani sentiments after India suspended the treaty. Indian leaders, including AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, condemned Bhutto’s statements. The attack prompted India to take strong diplomatic and economic measures against Pakistan.

India’s Wider Bans on Pakistani Content
India’s response extends beyond X accounts. The government blocked Instagram accounts of Pakistani celebrities like Hania Amir, Mahira Khan, and Ali Zafar, citing legal requests.

Additionally, 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and Geo News, were banned for spreading “false and provocative” content. The YouTube channels, with over 63 million followers, were targeted after the Pahalgam attack for allegedly misrepresenting India’s military and security agencies. India also banned Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s movie release and restricted access to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s YouTube channel. These actions aim to curb narratives India deems harmful to national security.

Pakistan’s Retaliatory Measures
Pakistan has responded with its own bans. It shut its ports to Indian ships after India banned imports from Pakistan. This followed India’s closure of the Wagah-Attari trade route, halting all trade.

Pakistan also banned Indian songs from its radio stations, a move backed by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association. These steps retaliate against India’s economic and cultural restrictions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and visa services for Pakistani nationals. Pakistan’s actions reflect its attempt to counter India’s aggressive measures while escalating the diplomatic standoff.

Broader Implications of the Conflict
The blocking of X accounts and other bans signal a deepening rift between India and Pakistan. India’s measures, including downgrading diplomatic ties and giving its military “complete operational freedom,” suggest a response to the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan, facing internal political challenges, including demands for Imran Khan’s release, denies involvement in the attack.

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