AICWA lashes out at Mahira, Fawad for speaking against India's ‘seriously cowardly' strikes

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) on Thursday hardened its stance on a “strict and complete ban” on Pakistani artists, slamming Pakistani superstars Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan for criticising India over its missile strikes on Pakistan.

Citing an AICWA press release, NDTV reported that the group accused Mahira Khan of calling India’s military action “seriously cowardly” and blamed Fawad Khan for “supporting divisive narratives” and failing to condemn terrorism.

Following the attacks, Pakistani celebrities took to social media, expressing strong condemnation of India's actions, describing them as "cowardly".

Mahira took to her Instagram Story to write: "Seriously cowardly!!! May Allah protect our country, may better sense prevail. Ameen"

"You attack cities, in the middle of the night and call it a victory? Shame on you," Mahira wrote in a separate post on Instagram.

— Instagram@mahirakhan

Fawad Khan also sent condolences to the families of those martyred and injured in this shameful attack.

"My deepest condolences to the families of those injured and killed in this shameful attack," Fawad wrote on his Instagram Story. "I pray for the souls of the deceased and strength for their loved ones in the days to come."

"A respectful request to all: stop stoking the flames with ramble-rousing words. It is not worth the lives of innocent people. May better sense prevail," he added.

—Instagram@fawadkhan81

The association termed their remarks as "disrespectful to the Indian nation" and "an insult to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country".

"No Indian artist will collaborate with any Pakistani talent, nor will any global platform be shared with them," according to the association’s statement.

This tirade by the AICWA comes a day after India launched strikes on Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the dead of the night, an assault that Islamabad called a "blatant act of war" as tension spirals between the nuclear-armed rivals.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), six Pakistani locations, from mosques to hydropower projects, were targeted, martyring 31 civilians and wounding 57 others. The Pakistan armed forces also destroyed multiple enemy posts in several sectors along the Line of Control (LoC).

The association also criticised Indian music labels and performers for working with Pakistani artists internationally, calling these collaborations "a betrayal of national pride."

AICWA criticised the film Abir Gulal for casting Fawad Khan, saying it was "a disgrace to the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers," referring to the 2019 Pulwama attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

AICWA has made similar calls to ban Pakistani artists in the past, including in 2016 and 2019, after cross-border tensions.

source geo news