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Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar’s Social Media Accounts Briefly Unblocked in India Due to Technical Glitch
Controversy Erupts Over Sudden Visibility of Pakistani Cricketers’ Profiles After Government Ban
In an unexpected turn of events, social media accounts of former Pakistani cricketers such as Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar briefly became accessible in India on Wednesday, sparking sharp public reactions and a digital uproar. The move came just weeks after the Indian government had banned several Pakistani-origin accounts and content creators following the Pahalgam Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor.
Though the unblocking lasted only a short while before restrictions were reinstated, the incident raised eyebrows and fueled strong sentiment online. Netizens voiced their outrage using the trending hashtag #BanPakistanContent, demanding immediate reimplementation and stricter digital oversight.
Government’s Ban on Pakistani Content: Background
Move Triggered by National Security Concerns Post-Pahalgam Attack
Following heightened cross-border tensions and recent terror incidents, the Indian government issued a directive earlier this year to curb Pakistan-originated digital content across platforms. This involved blocking social media profiles of Pakistani celebrities, YouTubers, and influencers — including prominent ex-cricketers like Afridi and Akhtar — whose YouTube channels and posts regularly received lakhs of views from Indian audiences.
In May 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ordered all OTT platforms, streaming services, and digital intermediaries to suspend access to films, songs, series, and web content originating from Pakistan. The decision was widely supported by organizations such as the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA).
📰 Read our feature on India’s digital crackdown post-Operation Sindoor
Why Were Afridi and Akhtar’s Accounts Unblocked?
NDTV Attributes the Incident to a Temporary Technical Error
According to a report published by NDTV, the sudden accessibility of Shahid Afridi’s and Shoaib Akhtar’s social media accounts in India was caused by a technical glitch. No detailed official clarification has yet been offered by government or platform representatives, and the accounts were re-blocked shortly afterward.
Despite being visible for a limited time, the accounts witnessed a noticeable surge in engagement. Observers reported increased view counts and interaction during the brief window of unblocking — a sharp contrast to the steep decline these channels faced following the initial ban.
Before the restrictions, Afridi’s and Akhtar’s YouTube channels were receiving over 1 lakh views per video from Indian users. Post-ban, their viewership reportedly dropped to just 10,000–20,000 views, significantly affecting their global reach and monetization.
AICWA Appeals to Prime Minister Modi
Association Terms It a Disrespect to Martyred Soldiers
Reacting to the incident, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) submitted an official request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the government to launch an investigation and enforce a complete digital ban on Pakistani content.
“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,” the statement read.
AICWA emphasized that allowing any form of Pakistani content — even briefly — is unacceptable during such a sensitive national security phase.
What Happens Next?
While there’s no official word yet from government authorities regarding the cause or accountability of the technical lapse, the quick restoration of the ban indicates a reaffirmation of India’s content policy. However, the incident has reignited conversations around content moderation, national sentiment, and the influence of social media algorithms in geopolitical contexts.
🎯 Visit India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting official site for policy updates
