Shahid Afridi's Instagram account banned in India after fake story

Social media accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including former cricketers Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Basit Ali, and Rashid Latif, were accessible once again in India on July 2, two months after being blocked by the Indian government.

The sudden re-accessibility of Pakistani personalities’ handles sparked massive backlash across social media platforms, with users expressing anger and shock over the temporary lift of the ban. These accounts were originally suspended in India following the Pahalgam terror attack in April.

Shahid Afridi’s account unbanned, then blocked again!!

This decision was taken after the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended action for allegedly spreading provocative content, false claims, misinformation, and anti-India narratives targeting India, its armed forces, and security agencies in April.

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After Pakistani actors and cricketers’ social media accounts became accessible once again, Indian users questioned the decision to restore access, calling it a shame and an insult to national security and the memories of those affected by terrorism.

Shahid Afridi’s alleged post fuels anger after Pakistani accounts go Live in India

Adding fuel to the fire, a screenshot showing a provocative post by Shahid Afridi went viral. The post made bold claims about the Pahalgam terror attack and mocked the Indian government. The post even called India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi “spineless” and trolled him for playing like a kid with Pakistan.

However, Shahid Afridi later clarified that the screenshot was fake and fabricated. But the former Pakistan captain’s account was already re-banned in India. However, the reason behind the same was not the fake post but the anger from Indians over the move.

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The post read, “The Indian government has unbanned my social media accounts. They must have realized the Pahalgam attack was an insider job. Here’s some advice to the Indian government: the only way to solve the Kashmir issue is for India to give. Kashmir to Pakistan. Narendra Modi, spineless person, don’t behave like a kid—first banning accounts, now unbanning them. Pakistan Zindabad.”

Hello @GoI_MeitY
Shahid Afridi is saying something about Modiji & India.

Hope you learn something today 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/17I4oHFM2s

— Voice of Hindus (@Warlock_Shubh) July 2, 2025

Just as the controversy heated up, the accounts were blocked again by Thursday, July 3, morning. Attempts to access the accounts showed the message: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”

AICWA demands a total ban on Pakistani Artists and Content in India

Earlier, the All-Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) asked the Indian government to completely ban Pakistani artists and entertainment in the country after the controversy broke out. On Wednesday, the group sent a request to PM Narendra Modi, asking for a full stop to all cultural and digital ties with Pakistan.

AICWA called it an “emotional attack” on families who lost loved ones in terror attacks. They named Mawra Hocane and Yumna Zaidi, saying their presence on Indian platforms was a disrespect to the soldiers who died protecting the country.

They also reminded of past terror attacks like the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Pulwama, Uri, and the recent Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians. AICWA also said that some Pakistani celebrities spoke against India after Operation Sindoor, and now they want the government to fully block Pakistani content and artists from India forever, both online and offline.