India has blocked the Instagram account of Pakistani crypto influencer Waqar Zaka after he pledged financial aid to the families affected by the Pahalgam terror attack. Zaka had shared a video on X in late April offering monthly USDT support to Indian households that lost their earning members in the April 22 tragedy.
The influencer, who has over 6 million followers in the crypto community, posted a message asking victims’ families to share their crypto wallet addresses so he could send USDT as financial relief. He emphasized that his only goal was to help middle-class Indian families who were struggling after losing a head of household.
However, days after the video was shared, Indian users reported being unable to access his Instagram profile.
Zaka Offers Monthly USDT Support to Victim Families
Waqar Zaka responded to the block on X, questioning the decision. He wrote:
“Maybe kindness was too volatile for their system.”
Zaka said his efforts were purely humanitarian and did not breach any platform or political guidelines. He added that crypto is a global tool and people should use this to help those in need, regardless of nationality. USDT is known for maintaining a stable value, making it a preferred tool for financial aid during crises. It avoids the price volatility seen in other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.
The choice of USDT allowed the aid to be transferred quickly and directly without reliance on traditional banking systems, which can be blocked or delayed during times of conflict. For cross-border assistance between Pakistan and India, where financial transactions are often subject to strict scrutiny, USDT offered a neutral, censorship-resistant solution.
Additionally, the digital crackdown and military retaliation have triggered widespread international concern. Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, took to social media to urge both countries to choose diplomacy over escalation.
“We hope everyone is safe in Pakistan and India,” CZ wrote. “We condemn war. Let’s compete on economic growth and tech innovations that enhance lives and unite communities.”
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The blocking of Waqar Zaka’s account comes amid a wider digital and diplomatic crackdown by India following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, including a Nepali citizen. Authorities have revoked the SAARC visa exemption for Pakistani nationals, suspended all visa services, and even cancelled medical visas.
Simultaneously, India banned the Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Wasim Akram. The country has even restricted the official handle of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
According to Meta, these actions were taken following legal requests and were in line with India’s local laws and content regulations. Notably, the accounts of former cricket legends Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq remain accessible in India.
