Mahira Khan speaks up against India's ban on Pakistani artists

Film star Mahira Khan has spoken out against India’s recent ban on Pakistani celebrities and social media accounts, calling the move a “political game” and stressing the importance of art in fostering cross-border understanding.

India imposed the ban in early May, just days before a significant military escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Over the course of four days, both countries exchanged artillery fire, missile strikes, and drone attacks, before the United States brokered a ceasefire on May 10.

The restrictions were part of New Delhi’s response to an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 dead. India has accused Pakistan of involvement—a claim Islamabad strongly denies, urging an international investigation.

In a recent interview, Khan dismissed the ban, stating, “I had zero reaction. I still love my fans in India. Fans are fans. People are people. What does this have to do with politics?”

Criticizing the politicization of the arts, she added, “This is a political game—‘we will ban this, shut this down’—I don’t believe in that.”

Khan questioned why artists are so often the first to suffer during political or military crises. “It’s strange. A war starts or a political issue arises, and the first attack is on artists. Why? Art is what connects people. And the first thing they do is ban it—to kill that connection, that love.”

In response to India’s action, Pakistan’s telecommunications authority blocked 16 Indian YouTube channels and 32 websites on May 7, citing the spread of "anti-Pakistan propaganda" and misinformation.

Mahira Khan is one of Pakistan’s most acclaimed and highest-paid actors, with numerous honors including seven Lux Style Awards and seven Hum Awards. She gained international recognition for her performance alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 film Raees.

Beyond her acting career, Khan is an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and social justice, including campaigns against child abuse and sexual harassment. In 2019, she was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

While a ceasefire currently holds between India and Pakistan, tensions remain high. India has suspended a long-standing water-sharing treaty that provides Pakistan access to rivers critical to irrigating over 80% of its agricultural land.