For weeks, news reports have suggested that Fawad Khan flew out of India (secretly) after MNS issued an ultimatum against Pakistani actors. Though this story is untrue, the Indian press has repeatedly stated so. The reality is that Khan was in Pakistan, all this time.
For weeks, news reports have suggested that Fawad Khan flew out of India (secretly) after MNS issued an ultimatum against Pakistani actors. Though this story is untrue, the Indian press has repeatedly stated so. The reality is that Khan was in Pakistan, all this time.
Fawad Khan as well as Humsafar co-star Mahira Khan have also been conspicuous by their silence over the current controversy that relates to Indo-Pak artists, the ban by IMPPA and its consequent reaction in Pakistan.
Now for the first time since this culture furor began (after the events of the Uri attack), both Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have broken their silence by releasing a personal statement on their respective Facebook page(s).
Responding to the rumour that he was in India, Khan cleared the air and wrote, “I’ve been in Lahore since July as my wife and I had been expecting our second child.”
Addressing the current culture furor on both sides of the border, Khan took a somber approach to the matter and stated, “I’ve received numerous requests from the media and from well wishers worldwide asking me for my thoughts on the sad incidents that took place in the past few weeks. As a father of two little children, I pray and wish like many others that together we can build and live in a more peaceful world. I believe we owe it to our children who will shape our tomorrow.”
Khan also asked everyone to “disregard any other words attributed to me during this time” since this is the first time he has spoken up on the issue. He ended his statement by thanking fans and well-wishers. “I thank all my fans and fellow artists from Pakistan, India and people in general all over the world who have shown continued support for their belief in love and understanding to unite a divisive world.”
Following Fawad Khan’s statement, Mahira Khan also released a statement on the heated issue. Taking to her Facebook page, she wrote, “In the 5 years that I have been working as an actor I believe that I have tried my best to keep my country’s respect intact - by being a professional and by representing Pakistan here and elsewhere to the best of my abilities.”
Condemning terror attacks, Mahira stated further, “As a Pakistani and citizen of the world I strongly condemn any act of terror, any loss of human life no matter which soil it is on. I will not rejoice in bloodshed and war. I will always hope for and dream of a world where my child can live without it, and always plead with everyone to imagine a peaceful world. It has also been in this time my faith in saner minds and goodness has been restored, thank you for the messages, love and support. Hoping and praying for peace always.”
Though diplomatic, both Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan’s statements are measured and heartfelt which remains the need of the hour. Will others follow suit? Time will tell.
