Local celebrities have also, finally, come forth with their stances on the matter. The likes of Mahira Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Fahad Mustafa and many others have denounced the ongoing crisis publicly and are hoping things go back to normal as soon as possible.
"There is nothing uglier, nothing more ignorant than cheering for war. May better sense prevail... Pakistan Zindabad!" tweeted Khan, who has previously starred in Bollywood film Raees with Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Nothing uglier. Nothing more ignorant than cheering for war. May sense prevail.. Pakistan zindabad. https://t.co/sH0VGGAERC
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) February 26, 2019
Her tweet was a response to a thread on the Twitter account of Fatima Bhutto, author and grand-daughter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
There is nothing uglier than people cheering for war.
— fatima bhutto 🇵🇸🇱🇧 (@fbhutto) February 26, 2019
Indian media started thumping its chest soon after Delhi claimed that Indian Air Force (IAF) jets had struck what they deemed the biggest training camp of the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant group in Balakot, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, in a pre-dawn air strike on Tuesday. The jets reportedly flattened the compound and killed 350 inhabitants.
In response to the IAF strike, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the Pakistani citizens and armed forces to "remain prepared for all eventualities."
But actor Mawra Hocane, who was seen in Bollywood film Sanam Teri Kasam, feels this is the time to put humanity first. "It is time we understand this as humans. The media needs to take charge and stop being provocative. It's our duty to inculcate peace and use our words for better; not worse. Praying for peace always," she posted.
“There can be NO winners in war if we value Human Life at all.“
— MAWRA (@MawraHocane) February 26, 2019
Christopher Holliday.
It’s time we understand this as humans.The media needs to take charge & stop being provocative. It’s our duty to inculcate peace & use our words for better & not worse.
Praying for peace always!
Mustafa also hoped for peace, saying, "War does not determine who is right...Only who is left. Say no to war."
War Does Not DEtermine who is right ..Only who is left
— Fahad Mustafa (@fahadmustafa26) February 26, 2019
Say no to war🙏🇵🇰
Pakistani-Canadian comedian Zaid Ali T also called out everyone spreading hate and pledging war. "If there is a person that commits an act of terror, go after THAT person. Stop going after his religion, culture, ethnicity, or race. No religion in this world promotes war or hate. Every religion is peaceful, but unfortunately, some people do not understand that," he tweeted.
If there is a person that commits an act of terror, go after THAT person. Stop going after his religion, culture, ethnicity, or race. No religion in this world promotes war or hate. Every religion is peaceful, but unfortunately, some people do not understand that.
— Zaid Ali (@Za1d) February 16, 2019
"Anyone who is encouraging war between Pakistan and India should be taken out of their house and forced to fight the war themselves. Tweet karna bohat asaan hai. But for once, think of the all the soldiers that die unnecessarily because of this."
Anyone who is encouraging war between Pakistan and India should be taken out of their house and be forced to fight the war themselves. Tweet karna bohat asaan hai, but for once think of the all the soldiers that die unnecessarily because of this. #PakistanZindabad 🇵🇰
— Zaid Ali (@Za1d) February 26, 2019
While most were wishing for peace, there were some stars who reacted strongly. Abbasi, for instance, posted, "Balakot, well done, India! Much improvement from the fake 'surgical strike' claim. This time, yes IAF aircraft crossed LOC four to six miles at 2:55 am and had to retreat at 2.59 a.m. due to PAF (Pakistan Air Force) scrambling, dropping the load on the way, martyring our trees. But now, Pakistan must retaliate."
#Balakot WELL DONE INDIA! Much improvement from the fake "Surgical Strike" claim. This time yes IAF aircraft crossed LOC 4 to 6 miles at 2.55am & had to retreat at 2.59am due to PAF scrambling dropping the load on the way martyring our trees. But now, Pakistan MUST retaliate. pic.twitter.com/bSD8ryIOk0
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) February 26, 2019
He went on, "Now Indian masses are cheering about killing more than 350 terrorists in Pakistan. 350+ dead and no video, even mobile video/pictures, no satellite pictures, funerals, nothing! No wonder Pakistan is inviting all ambassadors, defence attachés, even Indians to come to the location to see."
So now Indian masses r cheering abt killing more than 350 terrorists in Pak. 350+ dead & no video, even mobile video/pics, no satellite pics, funerals, Nothing! No wonder Pak is inviting all ambassadors, defence attachés, even Indians to come to the location Ind gave & see. https://t.co/jDMp9GOKOq
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) February 26, 2019
"In more than a decade, even USA in Afghanistan couldn't kill 350+ jihadis in one go," the Parwaaz Hai Junoon star added. "Kind of gives you an idea about what Indians think a "terrorist camp" is...Basically, hundreds of terrorists just chilling and hanging out waiting to be massacred. Wow! *Slow Clap*"
#IndianFailedStrike In more than a decade, even USA in Afghanstn couldn't kill 350+ jihadis in one go. LOL... Kina gives u an idea abt wht Indians think a "Terrorist Camp" is....basically hundreds of terrorists just chilling & hanging out waiting to be massacred. Wow! *Slow Clap*
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) February 26, 2019
Actor Ahmed Ali Butt said, "Make no mistake, Pakistan comes first. I stand with my nation, my PM, my people and my country and anyone who is a threat to us will face our wrath. I'm all for peace but if your dealing with blind rage and stupidity, then a hard slap on their face is the answer."
Make no mistake #pakistan comes first. I stand with my Nation, PM, People & my country, anyone who is a threat to us will face our wrath. I'm all for peace but if your dealing with blind rage and stupidity then a hard slap on their face is the answer #PakistanArmy @ImranKhanPTI
— Ahmad Ali Butt (@ahmedaliB) February 26, 2019
Taking a dig at a famous dialogue from Karan Johar's film My Name Is Khan, Veena Malik said, "My Name is tree...And I'm not a terrorist."
My Name is tree...And I'm not a Terrorist 😂😂😂...!!!#Surgicalstrike2
— VEENA MALIK (@iVeenaKhan) February 26, 2019
PAF, on Wednesday, struck Indian targets across the LOC from within Pakistani airspace, said a statement from the Foreign Office (FO).
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