Latest news with #ShoaibAkhtar
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Social media accounts of Pakistani cricketers, actors blocked again
The YouTube channels of former Pakistani cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Rashid Latif, and the Instagram accounts of actresses Saba Qamar and Mawra Hocane became inaccessible in India again on Thursday, days after they were restored. The lifting of the ban on these accounts had come nearly three months after the central government blocked several Pakistani social media accounts following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The YouTube channel, 'The Game Plan', by former Pakistani cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal, however, remains available. Akhtar's profile on Instagram and X remain banned, as does that of former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi. The latter's YouTube channel has also been banned again. The YouTube accounts of the former Pakistani cricketers display the message: 'This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order. For more details about government removal requests, please visit the Google Transparency Report.' The Instagram accounts of the actresses state: 'Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.' On April 28, the government had banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels–with about 63.08 million subscribers in total–for disseminating 'provocative content, false narratives and misinformation' against India, its Army and security agencies. The decision was based on recommendations made by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 1. Dawn News TV: Considered among the leading platforms in Pakistan with 1.96 million followers, the channel uses the handle @dawnnewspakistan. 2. Irshad Bhatti: His YouTube channel has 827,000 followers. The channel's handle is @IrshadBhatti01. 3. Samaa TV: Samaa TV has 12.7 million followers. The channel goes by the handle @Samaatv. 4. ARY News: ARY News has 14.6 million followers. The channel's handle is @ArynewsTvofficial. 5. BOL News: BOL News has 7.85 million followers. The channel uses the handle @BOLNewsofficial. 6. Raftar: Raftar has 804k followers. The channel's handle is @raftartv. 7. The Pakistan Reference: The channel has 288,000 followers. The channel's handle is @ThePakistanExperience. 8. Geo News: It has 18.1 million followers. The channel uses the handle @geonews. 9. Samaa Sports: Samaa Sports has 73,500 followers. The channel's handle is @SamaaSports. 10. GNN: It has 3.54 million followers. The channel's handle is @gnnhdofficial. 11. Uzair Cricket: Uzair Cricket has 288,000 followers. The channel's handle is @UzairCricket786. 12. Umar Cheema Exclusive: It has 125,000 followers. The channel's handle is @UmarCheemaExclusive. 13. Asma Shirazi: Her channel has 133,000 followers. The handle is @AsmaShiraziofficial. 14. Muneeb Farooq: His channel has 165,000 followers. The handle is @muneebfarooqofficial. 15. SUNO News HD: It has 1.36 million followers. The channel uses the handle @SUNONewsHD. 16. Razi Naama: The channel has 270,000 followers. The handle is @razinaama.
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Blocked, Unblocked, Blocked Again: Why Were Pakistani Cricketers' And Actors Social Media Accounts Unblocked Briefly Before Being Taken Down Again?
Several Pakistani actors and ex-cricketers found their social media accounts briefly accessible to Indian users on Wednesday, only to be blocked again hours later. According to a report cited by NDTV, the temporary visibility was due to 'technical reasons.' However, there has been no official explanation from Indian authorities regarding the sudden re-blocking. The netizens flooded the timeline with #BanPakistanContent urging Indian Authority to continue the ban imposed. YouTube channels belonging to former Pakistan cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar also reappeared for a short time before being restricted again. As the channel came into India's eyes for a short period, the difference in number of likes before the ban and after the ban was highlighted on Internt. For example - Before the Ban, These channels used to fetch views in lakhs and after ban they even struggle to get past 10-20 thousand. Instagram accounts of well-known Pakistani stars like Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor were briefly unblocked on July 2, but have since become inaccessible once more from Indian IP addresses. Despite this short window of visibility, many other prominent accounts including those of Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Hania Aamir remained blocked throughout. Fans trying to access these profiles in India are still met with the message: 'Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.' Swift Reaction from AICWA The brief reappearance of these accounts prompted a strong response from the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), which issued an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The organisation demanded an 'immediate and irreversible digital blackout' of all Pakistani influencers and entertainers across Indian media and online platforms. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, AICWA wrote: '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.' Citing the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Pulwama bombing, and most recently the Pahalgam assault, the organisation reinforced its call for a hardline stance against any form of Pakistani media presence in India. AICWA described Pakistan as a 'terrorist nation' and alleged that 'instead of showing remorse, several Pakistani artists have shamelessly spoken against India.' AICWA's Three Key Demands: 1. A complete ban on all Pakistani-run social and digital media accounts in India. 2. A prohibition on any future collaborations with Pakistani nationals in film, advertising, or promotional content. 3. A long-term cultural disconnect from Pakistan as a symbolic tribute to India's armed forces and the families of martyrs. The Bigger Picture: Indo-Pak Tensions After Pahalgam Attack This digital blackout debate comes amid rising Indo-Pak tensions, especially following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, including 24 Indian tourists, a Nepali national, and a local resident. The Resistance Front, believed to be linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility. India responded by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty a major bilateral agreement from 1960 and launching Operation Sindoor, which reportedly destroyed nine terrorist infrastructure sites across the border. While the Ministry of External Affairs has not released a formal statement on the renewed bans, the timeline suggests a continuation of government efforts to restrict digital content from foreign entities perceived as threats to national interest. Amidst the escalating tensions, ACC is all set to announce Asia Cup 2025 schedule with Both India and Pakistan participating in the T20 based tournament.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Social Media Accounts Of Many Pak Actors, Cricketers Banned Again
New Delhi: The social media accounts of several Pakistani actors and cricketers have been banned once again, briefly after they were made accessible in India. On Wednesday, the Instagram accounts of actors Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor were made visible and the YouTube channels of Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar were also made accessible. However, the accounts of other Pakistani actors, such as Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Hania Aamir, remained inaccessible from India even yesterday. Upon searching for their accounts, users get a message: "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content." Earlier in May, the government directed all Over-the-Top, or OTT platforms, media streaming services and digital intermediaries to discontinue web series, films, songs, podcasts and other media content originating from Pakistan. The advisory, dated May 8, 2025, issued under Part II of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, reminded publishers and intermediaries of their obligation to "ensure that content hosted or streamed does not threaten India's sovereignty, integrity, national security, or public order." "OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription-based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect," the advisory read. Several YouTube channels hosting celebrated Pakistani shows were banned. However, after almost two months, entertainment channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo are available for streaming in India as of filing this story. YouTube channels of cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar are also accesible currently. AIWCA Seeks Immediate And Permanent Ban On Pakistani Artists' Digital Presence On Wednesday, after several Pakistani accounts were made visible, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a complete ban on the "social media presence and media channels of all Pakistani nationals, artists, influencers, and entertainment entities in India." Commenting on the visibility of several Pakistani accounts in India, AICWA said 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." Referring to terror attacks, including 26/11, Pulwama, Uri, and Pahalgam, the cine body held Pakistan responsible for continued cross-border terrorism and called it a "terrorist nation". AICWA also noted that "instead of showing remorse, several Pakistani artists have shamelessly spoken against India." AICWA made three demands: An immediate nationwide digital blackout of all Pakistani social media accounts and media channels. Ban on all future collaborations or promotions involving Pakistani citizens in Indian media, OTT platforms, and advertising. A permanent cultural disconnect from Pakistan, as a mark of respect to the Indian Armed Forces and the families of martyrs. PRESS RELEASE Date: 2nd July 2025 From: All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) Subject: Urgent Appeal to Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji Regarding the Reappearance of Pakistani Artists' Social Media & Channels in India – AICWA Demands Immediate and… — All Indian Cine Workers Association (@AICWAOfficial) July 2, 2025 What Preceded The Ban On April 22, twenty-five tourists - 24 Indians and one Nepali citizen - and a local man were killed in the terror attack at Baisaran in Pahalgam. It was the deadliest strike in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack. The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility. Following the attack, India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a series of restrictions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. In retaliation, India also launched Operation Sindoor, and carried out a precision strike on nine terror bases in Pakistan.
India.com
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet Shoaib Akhtar's gorgeous wife, 18 years younger, her name is..., first met during...
Shoaib Akhtar has been without any doubts one of the most successful bowlers ever to play the game of cricket. Although he was known all over the world as an incredibly fast runner, he had an exclusive mix of self-esteem and talent. Shoaib Akhtar was in a league of his own during the peak of his career in world cricket. He has bowled the fastest at 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) in the match between Pakistan and England in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup. Akhtar, called the Rawalpindi Express, is the fastest bowler in the history of the game. Rubab Khan is the wife of Shoaib Akhtar; she was born in a conservative Muslim family of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. She ended her studies in Abbottabad, and this is how she got married to the cricket icon. In 2013, Shoaib Akhtar attended Hajj where he met the father of Rubab, Mushtaq. The search of a perfect life partner by Shoaib led to the initiation of their union. Both the families agreed and on June 23, 2014, the two married in a modest ceremony in Mohalla Ramzani, Pakistan. The age gap, as Rubab Khan was 21 years old, and Shoaib Akhtar was 38 years old, did not stop the couple as they chose to have a private wedding that received enormous media and public attention. The wedding was an intimate, intimate ceremony, with only a few close people. These days Rubab Khan is concentrated on house management, dedicating all of her time to the family. She has always been there to cheer him up as well as to face the good and bad moments of his life together. On November 7, 2016, Rubab Khan became a mother to a son named Muhammad Mikaeel Ali, which made their bond with Shoaib even stronger. Star pacer Shoaib Akhtar became a father at the age of 41.
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First Post
31-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar in trouble after defamation case filed by former team analyst
Former Pakistan team analyst has sent a legal notice to Shoaib Akhtar over his 'kit man' remark on a podcast. Akhtar has been asked to apologise in 14 days or face legal action. read more Pakistani pace legend Shoaib Akhtar has been sued by former team analyst over his comments. Image: Reuters Karachi: Nauman Niaz, a well-known cricket historian, writer and television personality has sent a notice to former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar for discrediting and defaming him. Dr. Niaz, a former Director of Sports at the state-owned Pakistan Television Network, has sent the notice through his lawyer after Shoaib allegedly described him as a 'kit man' during his time with the Pakistan team. 'Dr Nauman basically used to carry our bags and luggage for us in the team,' Shoaib said on a podcast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dr Nauman served as the data analyst of the Pakistan team on a couple of tours some years back when Shoaib was playing for his country. Deriding the role of coaches, managers in the team, Shoaib went on to narrate how Dr Niaz was in the team to carry bags for the players. 'That is what he did in the team. I don't know about anything else he did,' he added. In the notice, the lawyer has demanded an unconditional apology in 14-days time or face legal action and damages. The two have a history of clashes and during the time of Imran Khan's government, Dr Niaz asked Shoaib to leave a live show on PTV after a minor dispute. On the intervention of a minister, he later apologised to the fast bowler and the two apparently settled their dispute.
