Images

Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar cancel Karachi visit after Pulwama attack

Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar cancel Karachi visit after Pulwama attack

"There is no way we can carry on with cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan," tweeted Azmi
16 Feb, 2019

In wake of the attack in Occupied Kashmir's Pulwama district, which resulted in the death of Indian parliamentary troops, veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar and his wife actress Shabana Azmi have decided to cancel their upcoming Pakistan trip for a literary event at the Karachi Arts Council.

Akhtar took to Twitter to share that they will not be visiting anymore: "Karachi Art Council had invited Shabana and me for a two-day literature conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry. We have cancelled that," he tweeted.

Azmi also tweeted, calling for a halt on cross-border collaborations. "There is no way we can carry on with cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan even as our martyrs are laying down their lives for us," she wrote.

Condemning the attack, Shabana said that she is "filled with pain and grief" but also said that we must not forget that on both sides of the border are "brothers and sisters divided by circumstances with which they had nothing 2 do".

There were also earlier reports of Azmi coming down with swine flu in which case she would've missed the forum anyway.

Comments

Oldie Feb 16, 2019 03:17pm
It is so sad that two of the best of bollywood tend to have knee jerk reaction to such an incident. I wonder whether they have the courage to do the independent investigation of what actually happened. Truely sad.
Recommend (0)
Pakistan First Feb 16, 2019 03:58pm
We don't care, doesn't effect us.
Recommend (0)
Syed Noorani Feb 16, 2019 04:29pm
They bought into the Indian propaganda.
Recommend (0)
Faisal Salman Feb 16, 2019 04:40pm
So what?
Recommend (0)
ga Feb 16, 2019 05:06pm
Pakistan is opening itself to the world and even allowing Indians with foreign passports get Visa on arrival and these two do not even have the guts to call Modi's bluff. Muslims of India are in a mess. Completely enslaved by RSS. Thank you Mr. Jinnah!!!!
Recommend (0)
Monarch Feb 16, 2019 05:09pm
I request the authorities that they should not invite these Indian spies on Pakistan again.
Recommend (0)
Akram Feb 16, 2019 05:37pm
They have to prove themselves more Christian than the Pope at times like this. Feel sorry for them but anyway they have to do what they have to do. I guess for them survival is tough under this BJP govt.
Recommend (0)
Akram Feb 16, 2019 05:39pm
And what if it transpires that this was an inside job. Then what?
Recommend (0)
Right Voice Feb 16, 2019 05:49pm
Better stop your cultural exchanges.
Recommend (0)
Abdulmalick Ismail Feb 16, 2019 07:01pm
These 2 should be banned for life
Recommend (0)
Insaafian Feb 16, 2019 07:32pm
should never invite these people again
Recommend (0)
Asif Feb 16, 2019 07:43pm
This would have been nice and wise if you just cancel the trip without blaming Pakistan when there is no proof of her involvement. Certainly no body wants such loss of human life to happen and no one should justify. But then same goes for innocent Kashimiri's who have been tortured, suppressed and killed. Have you ever spoken about them ?
Recommend (0)
HonorBright Feb 16, 2019 07:44pm
So much for art and culture as means to peace and love... Everyone is desperate to appear patriotic and peace loving while spewing venom either sugar-coated or otherwise
Recommend (0)
moazi Feb 16, 2019 09:14pm
What good do they do in Pakistan when they are all the time bad mouthing Pakistan while living in India?
Recommend (0)
Changez Khan Feb 16, 2019 09:24pm
Good news. Not welcome.
Recommend (0)
Ali Kazmi Feb 16, 2019 09:27pm
Good riddance, put a lifetime ban on them.
Recommend (0)
Preface Feb 16, 2019 10:10pm
If that's how you view Pakistan, we are better off without cultural visits by the Indians.
Recommend (0)
Latif Khan Feb 16, 2019 10:16pm
Feel sorry for this poor Azmi
Recommend (0)
MUZAFFAR QURESHI Feb 16, 2019 10:17pm
I am deeply disappointed. I, however, understand that you have your own COMPELLING reasons.
Recommend (0)
Asif A. Shah Feb 16, 2019 10:22pm
Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar should ask the Indian Government to do a bit of introspection about its Kashmir Policy
Recommend (0)
Art KP Feb 16, 2019 10:25pm
Don’t ever come again.
Recommend (0)
SachBol Feb 16, 2019 11:07pm
We should ban all Indian movies in theatres
Recommend (0)
Junaid Ali Feb 16, 2019 11:38pm
Pakistan and Pakistanis simply don’t care
Recommend (0)
Peshawari Feb 17, 2019 12:44am
Who cares
Recommend (0)
Ahmad Feb 17, 2019 01:10am
Please have a word of sympathy for Kashmiris.. do you have a count on how many are killed since January 19? .. you don’t do any good by visiting Pakistan.. please don’t apply for Pakistan visa either...Thanks
Recommend (0)
Hafeez Feb 17, 2019 01:13am
Sold outs Not welcome...
Recommend (0)
nadeem Feb 17, 2019 01:52am
Has JA ever thought of thousands of Kashmiris killed by occupying forces
Recommend (0)
Sami Khan Feb 17, 2019 03:16am
We are a hospitable nation. You will be always welcome with open arms to come to Pakistan regardless of politics between the two nations.
Recommend (0)
Mann Feb 17, 2019 03:33am
@Pakistan First don’t invite them next time.
Recommend (0)
SSR Feb 17, 2019 04:01am
I guess it's not their fault, this is the price a minority pays to stay in the good books of the majority, especially in such a polarized country as India.
Recommend (0)
Rajesh Feb 17, 2019 05:16am
Why was this organized in Pakistan in the first place? Now they are attempting to act pro India by canceling the event.
Recommend (0)
sahba a omair Feb 17, 2019 06:09am
they want Modi attention that's why!
Recommend (0)
Raven Feb 17, 2019 07:10am
You're welcome
Recommend (0)
Ashar Hamid Feb 17, 2019 08:48am
Veteran lyricist my foot. They guy can't even say Karachi. Look at his tweet he called it Kranchi.
Recommend (0)
Zak Feb 17, 2019 09:00am
@Raven 'You're welcome' NOT
Recommend (0)
Stop Feb 17, 2019 09:54am
They have always been pro-India. They are proud Indians. Why are you surprised?
Recommend (0)
M A Khan Feb 17, 2019 10:05am
It does not mean anything.
Recommend (0)
Asad Mahmud Feb 17, 2019 10:31am
They have to live in India. Survival first.
Recommend (0)
Awamun Naas Feb 17, 2019 10:36am
Their retraction is very understandable. Obviously, they do not want to be on the wrong side of the narrative that their government is pushing. Patriotism aside, it is in their best interest to sever ties with whoever their establishment perceives as an 'enemy'. We hold no grudges against you Mr. Akhtar and Mrs. Azmi. You do what you have to do to stay safe.
Recommend (0)
Sohail Feb 17, 2019 11:09am
@Oldie typical Indian. They both had to prove their nationalism otherwise their life would be hell in India.
Recommend (0)
Ahmed Bilal Sheikh Feb 17, 2019 11:14am
Who cares
Recommend (0)
givepeaceachance Feb 17, 2019 11:17am
its your choice after all India has been blaming all the times without any solid proofs.
Recommend (0)
SkyHawk Feb 17, 2019 11:17am
These two Bollywood stars have to react like this in order to survive in India. But they don't really know what actually happened.
Recommend (0)
Expak Feb 17, 2019 04:16pm
@Rajesh. shame on you to even say this. You totally forgot what great contributions these two have made for Bollywood. Well, not your fault. It’s how you’re brought up. Shows your mentality.
Recommend (0)
Irfan Ul huq Feb 17, 2019 04:23pm
Cancelation was OK, mouthing was not.
Recommend (0)
Arshad Feb 17, 2019 05:15pm
Javed Akhter has been spewing hatred against Pakistan for a long time now. You don't need to dig deep to find examples of him bashing not just the Pakistani politicians and army but, in fact, the Pakistan itself. There are a number of such diatribes readily available on the YouTube. The real question is why he was invited in the first place?
Recommend (0)
KHK Feb 17, 2019 06:59pm
Regrettable because Azmi are artists not politicians.
Recommend (0)
Akram Feb 17, 2019 07:49pm
Where is shabana azmi's solidarity with the people of kashmir? She is right to stay in india, we don't need such people in Pakistan.
Recommend (0)
KSHAH Feb 17, 2019 10:39pm
@Oldie It is not the such an incident. It is a very serious incidence.
Recommend (0)
Murad Feb 18, 2019 01:43am
@SkyHawk Everyone knows that Javed Akhtar is anti-Pakistan.
Recommend (0)
Haris Feb 18, 2019 01:47am
For the sake of their own security, their tweets are justified.
Recommend (0)
Haris Feb 18, 2019 01:49am
But no tweet so far condemning atrocities committed by Indian forces in Kashmir. So sad.
Recommend (0)
Ashar Hamid Feb 18, 2019 06:27am
How about never inviting these two again.
Recommend (0)
ChaCha Radio Feb 18, 2019 11:45pm
Who are these people?
Recommend (0)
Andy Walker Feb 19, 2019 01:48am
They have to live in India.
Recommend (0)
Asim Feb 20, 2019 06:49pm
Please do not blame Javed Akhtar, he wants to live peacefully in India that's why he is issuing some statements. Never mind, we understand your position.
Recommend (0)