Criticism mounts as Pakistani celebrities speak out on tragedy in Indian-occupied Kashmir
Pakistani actors Hania Aamir and Farhan Saeed, best known for their work in the drama Mere Humsafar, are facing widespread criticism after publicly condemning the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The attack, carried out by an unidentified gunman, resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists. In response, both stars shared emotional messages on Instagram. Farhan Saeed wrote, “Heartfelt condolences for Pahalgam Attack victims and their families.” Hania Aamir posted a more detailed message: “Tragedy anywhere is a tragedy for all of us… No matter where we come from, grief speaks the same language. May we choose humanity, always.”
Other Pakistani celebrities, including Mawra Hocane, Anmol Baloch, Fawad Khan, Nadia Afgan, and Danish Taimoor, also expressed their condolences. Actress Madiha Rizvi, however, focused her reaction on what she described as a failure in Indian security.
Despite the empathetic tone of these posts, the response from social media users in Pakistan has been overwhelmingly negative. Many critics accuse the celebrities of seeking approval from Bollywood and neglecting issues closer to home. The backlash includes strong statements such as:
- “When Muslims were being martyred, they were silent. But now they mourn for Indians?”
- “India blames us for everything, yet our celebs still try to please them.”
- “Now I know why you wear Indian designers and dance to Bollywood songs.”
- “No matter what you do, Bollywood still won’t offer you roles.”
- “Why didn’t you condemn Indian-sponsored terror in Balochistan?”
While some voices have defended the celebrities for promoting peace and empathy beyond political borders, the prevailing sentiment has been one of anger and disappointment. Critics argue that public figures in Pakistan are often quick to comment on Indian tragedies, while remaining silent on domestic issues.
The incident has reignited debate over the role of celebrities in cross-border discourse, especially at a time when political tensions between Pakistan and India remain high. For stars like Aamir and Saeed, maintaining a delicate balance between humanitarian values and national loyalty is proving increasingly difficult in the polarized climate of regional politics.
