Shafqat Amanat Ali reacts to worsening ties between Pakistan and India

KARACHI: Singer Shafqat Amanat Ali has spoken out against the impact Pakistan-India ties are having on artists working across the border. “I am repeatedly being asked questions on this matter today, by the media in India and Pakistan,” Ali wrote on his Facebook page. “So here is what I would like to share with you all: it is a very sad and tough time for the people of both the countries.”

The Khamaj singer has requested artists to stay out of the political mess. “I think artists should not get involved in these matters as they only wish to spread peace, love and bring people closer, added Ali. “Needless to say, certain people want to sabotage the peace process and initiatives that work for it. We should recognise these negative forces and not pander to their agendas. We must refrain from any kind of decisions that will support that certain group’s goals.”

Indian nationalist party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Friday ordered all Pakistani actors working in India to leave the country within 48 hours. Also, a senior Indian journalist Soumyadipta Banerjee recently wrote an open letter to Fawad Khan, asking him to leave the country.

Many people in India, celebrities and non-celebrities alike, have echoed Ali’s sentiments that the entertainment industry has nothing to do with socio-political instability. However, some artists like Abhijeet Bhattacharya have come out in support of the idea. In the wake of such instability, Ali’s advice seems the right way to go for the artist community.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2016.

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