Bilal, Anoushey Ashraf want Pakistan to welcome international artists

Turkish actor Esra Bilgiç known for essaying the role of Halime Sultan in the popular TV show Diriliş: Ertuğrul, is not just winning the hearts of the masses in Pakistan but also the brands. Just recently after being hinted as the upcoming ambassador for a PSL cricket team, Esra has also been confirmed as the face of a renowned local mobile brand. But a few celebrities along with certain people are not happy with this cross-border collaboration.

Yesterday television actor Yasir Hussain, who has been criticial of Turkish programming in Pakistan, slammed the local brands for partnering with foreign public figures. In an Instagram story the Jhooti actor relayed how he felt that Pakistani brands should choose a local brand ambassador.

"Don't you think a Pakistani brand should have a Pakistani ambassador? Not Indian or Turkish?" he said. He then named actors he deemed worthy enough for the spot. "Is Mahira, Saba, Sonya, Minal, Aiman, Amar, Zara, Haniya, Sana, Yumna, Armeena, Sara, Hira... anyone not worthy enough to be a brand ambassador for a Pakistani brand?" Concluding his rant, the Lahore Se Agey actor urged his followers to support Pakistania actors. "Support Pakistani actors. Pakistan Zindabad."

But actors Anoushey Ashraf and Bilal Ashraf disapproved of Yasir's sentiments and explained how being a Pakistani should not be made the criterea for ambassadorship.

In a comment on Instagram, Anoushey wrote, "I'd be very proud to see our actors on a billboard internationally. If you want to work in tandem with the world, you must accept them here as well." She then added stating facts, "If Fawad and Mahira can work in India, I'm sure international artists can work here. Let's not be petty and instead use all our energy in creating better content, bigger budgets and make our own stars huge."

Bilal also took to Twitter to explain how art should not be and cannot be confined to boundaries or nationalities. "We need to welcome all artists from around the globe. Art has no language or boundaries, don’t politicise everything. Love and welcome everyone," he said.

"Pakistan zinda dil logon ka mulk hai aur Pakistani qaum kay dilon mei pyar he pyar hai (Pakistan is the country of lively people and Pakistanis have nothing but love in their hearts)," concluded the Superstar actor.

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