Pakistan: Amid Back and Forth on Social Media Blocks, Govt Allows Hockey Team to Play in India

Several Pakistani public figures’ social media accounts were briefly accessible on July 2, until the Indian government reinstated the geo-block.

The Wire Staff

Several Pakistani public figures’ social media accounts were briefly accessible on July 2, until the Indian government reinstated the geo-block.

pakistan amid back and forth on social media blocks govt allows hockey team to play in india

India's Ramandeep Singh and Pakistan's Bilal Muhammad Aleem vie for the ball during Hockey World League semi-final match in London. Credit: PTI/File

New Delhi: In the aftermath of April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India and Pakistan had announced a series of restrictions on each other. Among measures announced by India against Pakistan included geo-blocking Pakistani celebrities on social media.

However, for hours on July 2, social media accounts of several Pakistani celebrities had become accessible to Indian users until they were blocked again on Thursday (July 3).

Some accounts had reportedly started being visible on Wednesday – including Instagram handles of actors Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, Danish Taimoor, as well as cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar.

According to reports citing government sources, some of the restricted profiles had become visible “due to a technical glitch”.

The Union home ministry had, in May, recommended the blocking of several Pakistani public figures. In addition, 16 YouTube channels based in Pakistan, were also banned and accused of disseminating provocative, communally sensitive content, and misinformation. The list contained prominent news agencies like Dawn News, ARY News, Samaa TV, Bol News and Geo News, among other channels.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has given clearance to the Pakistani hockey team to play in the international tournaments scheduled in India later this year. The Pakistani team’s participation was uncertain in light of the soured relationship between the two countries, especially considering many athletes and sportspersons had been geo-blocked on social media.

However, according to a report by The Times of India, the decision was part of the government's efforts to keep politics and sports separate, following the statutes of the Olympic Charter, that calls for the inclusiveness and harmony among the participating nations despite their political backgrounds.

Not inviting the team would also have drawn a sanction from the Olympic Committee.

The Pakistani team will participate in the forthcoming Asia Cup tournament in Bihar’s Rajgir and the men's Junior World Cup match in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai and Madurai.

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