Why Social Media Accounts of Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar Got Unblocked in India?
In an unexpected development, the social media accounts of several former Pakistani cricketers, including Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar, were briefly accessible in India on Wednesday. This came just weeks after the Indian government had blocked access to such accounts following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, as part of a broader crackdown on Pakistani content.
What Triggered the Block?
In May 2025, the Indian government issued a directive to OTT platforms, social media intermediaries, and digital media providers to ban all content originating from Pakistan. This included films, web series, songs, podcasts, and most notably, YouTube and social media channels run by Pakistani celebrities, influencers, and former cricketers. The decision was driven by national security concerns and widespread outrage following recent terror attacks.
Why Were the Accounts Suddenly Visible Again?
According to an NDTV report, the temporary unblocking of these accounts was caused by a technical glitch. However, the exact cause and nature of the issue remain unclear, and no formal statement was issued by either the government or social media platforms.
As a result, fans and critics noticed a sudden spike in viewership on these previously inaccessible Pakistani YouTube channels and profiles, though the visibility window was short-lived. Within a few hours, the accounts were once again restricted in India.
Netizens Outraged, #BanPakistanContent Trends
The temporary access sparked a massive backlash on social media, with #BanPakistanContent trending on X (formerly Twitter). Many users questioned the government’s handling of the situation and called for a permanent and foolproof ban on Pakistani social media content.
Several users pointed out how, before the ban, videos from Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar’s channels regularly garnered hundreds of thousands of views from Indian users. Post-ban, the numbers dropped drastically to as low as 10,000–20,000 views, proving how large the Indian digital audience is for these personalities.
AICWA Seeks PM Modi’s Intervention
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) reacted strongly to the sudden reappearance of the banned accounts and issued an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a thorough investigation.
“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,” said the AICWA in an official statement.
The association demanded a complete digital blackout of Pakistani artists and influencers, suggesting the move was necessary to preserve national integrity and respect the emotions of the Indian public.
What’s Next?
At the moment, there is no official confirmation from the Indian government or the Ministry of Electronics and IT regarding why the glitch occurred or whether there will be a renewed push to make the ban technically foolproof in the future.
As tensions remain high following recent attacks and the ongoing ban, any such technical lapses are likely to attract strong public scrutiny. Whether this episode leads to stricter enforcement measures or policy updates is something only time will tell.
