‘Ghar mein beizzati,’ say Pak celebs

Pakistani actors Saboor Aly, and Shaan Shahid, among others, have condemned Javed Akhtar’s statement on the Mumbai terror attacks. During his visit to Pakistan last week for a festival in Lahore in memory of legendary Urdu poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Akhtar spoke about the ties between the two countries. Apart from other subjects, Akhtar addressed the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and alluded that the perpetrators still roam free in Pakistan. This, he said, justifies the resentment that Indians have. While his statements were lauded by Indians, and audience members, it has left many Pakistani celebrities upset. Addressing those audience members who applauded Akhtar, Aly took to Instagram to share, “There were so many artists in this country that didn’t even have money to afford healthcare during the end of their lives. Where were all of these appreciators of talent then?” Actor Haroon Shahid tweeted, “We as a nation fail to see how we’re being used. To my fellow Pakistanis, please stand up for your country.”

With love