New Delhi: Pakistani celebrities face fierce backlash for attending a TV entertainment awards ceremony in Canada, while lakhs struggle to survive at home after losing their homes to devastating floods.
As photos of celebrities like Ushna Shah, Ahmed Ali Butt and Zhalay Sarhadi dressed in meticulous detail at the 8th HUM Awards were shared on social media and news outlets, fans expressed their dismay and displeasure. Butt was among celebrities who poked fun at Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie’s visit to Pakistan for flood relief last week and slammed people for applauding her.
Many Pakistani A-listers attending the awards ceremonies in Ontario on September 24 were also seen ahead of the event. Fans and even politicians have expressed their anger at celebrities who left the country during a major crisis.
Anglena Jolie is a superstar. She is much more famous and talented star than our so called heroines. We as a nation should think that our whole country is facing crises and our stars are dancing in Canada. They are not stars. Shame on you #MahiraKhan #sajalaly #humawards2022 pic.twitter.com/1ADZoYcyOi
— Rai Ahmed Sultan (@RaiAhmedSultan1) September 25, 2022
Pakistan People’s Party leader Sharmila Faruqi called on them not to do their part at this difficult time, while Angelina Jolie, who is also the special envoy of the UN Refugee Committee, came to the country’s aid.
“None of them even bothered to visit a flood-affected area or show solidarity in money or kind except Hadiqa Kiani. I truly believe in cultural activities, awards, performances, etc. and our artists and actors are second to none. But it would have been a great support if they all reached out to their compatriots who have lost their homes, lives and livelihoods to the devastation,” Faruqi said in her Instagram post.
She called on citizens to stand by, hold, support and love the victims. “Each of us has a responsibility to our nation and its people who have given us so much. It’s time for payback,” she said.
Last week, Jolie said the floods, which have killed more than 1,600 people, were a “wake-up call” to the world and called for more international aid.
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Two pages to the ‘Gala’
In response to the backlash, the HUM Awards organizer released a statement saying a majority of the show’s proceeds, as well as proceeds from the fundraising gala, will be donated to flood relief and rehabilitation efforts.
“As previously announced, HUM Network is using the HUM Awards Canada platform to raise funds for flood victims. In addition to donating a significant portion of the proceeds from ticket sales, we are organizing a fundraising gala in collaboration with the artists who traveled for the awards,” HUM TV announced on Instagram.
Amid a barrage of criticism, some celebrities defended their participation, insisting they were simply “doing their job”. “It’s quite disturbing to read the criticism… It’s imperative that those affected by the floods know they will not be forgotten and we are working on channels to raise funds through our industry,” said actress Ushna Shah on twitter.
pic.twitter.com/6kAIRwbnqK
— Ushna Shah (@ushnashah) September 22, 2022
Pakistani TV actress Nadia Hussain also polled the critics, noting that international celebrities come to Pakistan to represent charities. “They do their job, just like any of our celebrities [who] doing their job abroad or our cricketers [who] play cricket and do their job! Those who have gone to the flood-affected areas of their own accord are actually the ones to be commended,” Hussain said on her Instagram story.
Meanwhile, actor Azfar Rehman decided not to attend the awards ceremony out of solidarity with Pakistani citizens. He issued a statement via his Instagram Stories noting his withdrawal from the ceremony and apologizing to his fans who were expecting to see him in Canada.
“I stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters who are drowning in the floods. I donated my ticket and residency benefit to flood relief,” Rehman said.
(Edited by Humra Laeeq)
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