The social media, as always, has been abuzz with activity. However, after some rather interesting turn of events in the world of politics and current affairs, Pakistani celebrities upped their social media game quite a bit and made their presence felt with their opinions and views in a way they seldom do. Earlier, on Tuesday, a special court in Islamabad announced that the former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been found guilty of high treason and sentenced him to death. This was the first time that a court in Pakistan tried and then convicted a military dictator, and it created quite a stir.
The verdict drew mixed reactions from different people. Among those people were some of our very own celebrities, who are quite vocal when it comes to discussing political issues of Pakistan. Here’s how they reacted:
Some were not in favor of the verdict
Celebrities like Mehwish Hayat, Shaan Shahid, Haroon Shahid, singer Annie Khalid and Salman Ahmad spoke out in favor of the president on Twitter. Mehwish posted a quote from a very famous Irish Soldier, Thomas Francis Meagher which said ‘The treason of which I stand convicted loses all its guilt, has been sanctified as a duty, and will be ennobled as a sacrifice’.
A very famous Irish Soldier, Thomas Francis Meagher said…
"The treason of which I stand convicted loses all its guilt, has been sanctified as a duty, and will be ennobled as a sacrifice."#Musharraf #MusharrafVerdict— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) December 17, 2019
Actor Shaan Shahid called the day a sad day and went on to say that Pervez Musharraf will always remain our patriot. He posted that Pervez Musharraf should be treated as a patriot, not a traitor.
A sad day indeed .. when a patriot is called a traitor. #PervezMusharraf you sir will always be our patriot . A true Pakistani a brave soldier and son of the soil. #pakarmyZindabad .
— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) December 17, 2019
Annie Khalid posted pictures of Pervez Musharraf with captions claiming that they stand by him.
General Musharraf we stand with you. Long live Pak Army ?? pic.twitter.com/9WQv8M0cFn
— Annie Khalid (@annie_khalid) December 17, 2019
Haroon Shahid too tweeted in favor of Musharraf.
All #Musharaf needed was to be a MuSharif and the judges would have been nicer. Goodnight.
PS. Whatever the verdict but the guy ain't a traitor.
— Haroon Shahid (@HaroonsMusic) December 17, 2019
Salman Ahmad meanwhile criticized the court system of Pakistan and questioned how they could hand out a death sentence to Pervez Musharraf while so many convicted criminals have fled the country.
Handing out a death sentence to Pervez Musharraf while allowing convicted criminals to flee the country. Wah Bhai wah. #RogueJustice
— salman ahmad (@sufisal) December 17, 2019
Veena Malik, who is quite active on Twitter of late, also expressed her views in Urdu.
جنرل پرویز مشرف SSG# کمانڈو تھے آج سپہ سالار نے SSG ہیڈ کوارٹرز کا دورہ کیا اور کہا تمام SSG کمانڈوز ہمارا فخر ہیں?
آخر میں جنرل مشرف صاحب کی طرح مکے کا نشان بنا کر واضح پیغام بھی دیا ہے?
نعرہ تکبیر اللہ اکبر
پاکستان زندہ باد
پاک فوج پائیندہ باد pic.twitter.com/cCJzaqvw1D— VEENA MALIK (@iVeenaKhan) December 18, 2019
Khadija Shah, the founder of Elan, had the following to say:
This isnt a fight between the military & the people of pakistan. This is between the military and the corrupt political mafias and their appendages. I stand by the institution that has fought wars and protected our sovereignty, not for the looters and their beneficiaries
— khadijah shah (@khadijah_shah) December 17, 2019
Supporters of the verdict
As expected, Hamza Ali Abbas also made his voice heard by appreciating the court’s decision. In his post, he said that after Musharraf’s verdict, Pakistan Muslim League (N) should also apologize for their allegations about the judiciary being the establishment’s puppet back when Nawaz Sharif’s verdict had come out.
After #Musharraf verdict, Will PML N & our SUPER INTELLECTUALS now apologise for their allegations abt Judiciary being Establishment's puppet when Nawaz's verdict came out?
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) December 17, 2019
Indian Anti-Citizenship Law Protests
Protests have been raging against the citizenship amendment act across the border. While celebrities in Bollywood have by and large decided to stay mum, leading showbiz icons on this side of Wagah have been very vocal and supportive of the reaction pouring on to the Indian street in wake of the law which is said to be discriminatory against India’s minority population.
Mehwish Hayat once again led the pack, tweeting “Ethnic cleansing was happening in Kashmir nobody did anything. Now it has started in India,” in relation to the law.
Indian constitution gives “liberty of thought,expression,belief,faith & worship”. By discriminating agnst one religion they’ve shown their real faces.Ethnic cleansing was happening in Kashmir nobody did anything. Now it has started in India.Can the?take heed & stop this guy?#CAB pic.twitter.com/ZtQQDQBcln
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) December 18, 2019
Hamza Ali Abbasi meanwhile said that history had proved the founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah right as the proposed law was set to deprive Indian Muslims of their citizenship.
On 14th August 1947, we got Pakistan bcz Jinnah sahab argued tht Muslims of SubContinent are in danger of being oppressed by the Hindu majority… and once more history proved him right bcz of Citizenship Amndmnt Act by Modi/RSS/BJP Hindutva raj, I thank Allah for PAKISTAN. ??❤️
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) December 18, 2019
Shaan Shahid, meanwhile retweeted PM Imran Khan’s tweet condemning the Citizenship Amendment Act in India.
Busy days on twitter
With so much happening in the world of current affairs, there is one thing that these tweets prove — that our celebrities have been on top of their politics and newsfeeds. Now only if they managed to be as productive when it comes to their work?
Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for the latest on Pakistani showbiz!
