On April 16, Dua Zehra went missing from her house in Karachi and was later recovered from Lahore where she had “eloped” to, as per reports, and allegedly forced into marriage with Zaheer Abbas, provided that a DNA test confirmed she could not have been old enough to consent to marriage.
Police has now declared Zaheer involved in the “abduction” of his “wife” and everyone has their eyes on the case, for which the jury has been out since months now. With the whole country on its toes, awaiting a just verdict that would not endanger Dua’s life nor condone the child marriage, actor Hira Mani has wished otherwise.
On Sunday, people took a sigh of relief when Dua was returned to Karachi and placed in a child protection centre, but on Monday, Hira took to her Instagram stories with her insensitive take on the situation. “I want Dua Zehra and Zaheer to never separate. I am sure Allah will listen to my prayer.”
The ill-timed and insensitive statement sparked a furore on Twitter as social media users started bashing the actor for her apparent inability to comprehend the complexity of the situation.
In response to the criticism, the Meray Paas Tum Ho actor posted a follow up note stating, “I’m not politically right but emotionally correct. That’s why I am Hira Mani.”
Calling her a perfect example of “beauty without brains” while quoting her “irresponsible” statement, many took a jibe at her singing skills to further take a dig at her latest comment, “[We thought] Hira Mani's singing is bad but her opinions are worse.”
Nothing can be worse than Hira Mani's singing but her opinions are worst. #DuaZehra pic.twitter.com/TjUa1anwGV
— Afshan Tayyab (@QueenAfshan_) July 25, 2022
Hira mani you dropped this 🧠#DuaZehra pic.twitter.com/C2TW5lGhTi
— خديجه آفريدين /0\ (@Afridi4Life1) July 25, 2022
#Hiramani is a true example of beauty with no brain.
— Sanawar Balam - Human Rights Lawyer (@SanawarBalam) July 26, 2022
Hira Mani uploaded a story on her Instagram and shared her opinion on the case of the kidnapping of #minorgirl #DuaZehra saying that, “Mein chahti hoon kay Dua or Zaheer kabhi alag na houn Allah Tala meri yeh dua zarur suniega” pic.twitter.com/Q4s7nKzGTw
Influencer and Baarwan Khiladi actor Khaqan Shahnawaz also took to his Instagram Stories to slam Hira. “Dua Zehra case has progressed to a point where it was proven in a court of law using DNA evidence. This isn’t a joke. She’s a child that was kidnapped. Someone explain this to Hira Mani,” he wrote. Khaqan added that people like Hira “need to either go back to school or get psychological help because every time they open their mouths, it hurts human kind one way or the other!”
Khaqan also wrote that he is still in shock after her comment and will not stay silent just because he is an up-and-coming actor and she’s a well-established figure in the industry.
A tweep wants the Do Bol actor’s social media taken down. “Somebody please take away Hira Mani's social media, please. Majority of the Pakistani celebrities are good for nothing but crying in front of camera over divorce or marriage only. That's that!” read the tweet.
Somebody please take away Hira Mani's social media please. Majority of the Pakistani celebrities are good for nothing but crying in front of camera over divorce or marriage only.
— Ariha Fatimah (@arihafatimah) July 25, 2022
Thats that! pic.twitter.com/Nn6yEPajHs
Hira’s statement has led a social media user to reflect on how shallow people in the showbiz world can be. “Hira Mani's opinion on the Dua Zehra case clearly demonstrates that people in our entertainment community are utterly illiterate and ridiculous. This shows how they don't have even basic knowledge. They got the job due to their looks, not for acting skills. Surprising!”
Hira Mani's opinion on Dua Zehra case clearly demonstrates that people in our entertainment community are utterly illiterate and ridiculous. This shows how they don't have even basic knowledge. They got the job due to their looks, not for acting skills. Surprising!!#HiraMani
— Muhammad Hamza Malik (@malikhamza65) July 26, 2022
Agitated by the statement, a user wished if she’d be okay with her kids getting married at 14 without her permission. “Hira Mani should get her kids get married at 14 without her and her husband’s permission. I don’t know if she was bribed to say this or she’s dumb enough to pass such statement on a sensitive case in which Dua is proven minor. Shameful.”
#DuaZehra hira mani should get their kids get married at 14 without hira and mani permission.
— Rufaida (@dunmess) July 25, 2022
Dun know if she is bribed or dumb that she passes such statement on case in which dua is proven minor.
Shameful.
Cringy orat.
A user even called her out for “misusing her fame” and suggested she read before passing opinions. They also said that there’s enough evidence for Mani to not romanticise the situation.
Hira Mani, I urge you to please stop misusing your fame and read before giving your opinions. This is highly irresponsible coming from you - an underage marriage, proof that Zehra was abducted, there's enough evidence for you to not romanticize this. pic.twitter.com/1fJTfXRTXK
— Manal Faheem Khan (@ManalFaheemKhan) July 25, 2022
While another user was convinced that the actor needs professional help.
At this point I firmly believe that Hira Mani needs proper help. It’s time someone educate her because every time she utters something, it’s always nonsense. She needs to be told that not everything is a joke & Dua is just a kid who was apparently kidnapped.
— فاطمہ عرفان (@fatimairrfan) July 26, 2022
Eternal disgrace! pic.twitter.com/JGfrD34qNW
“At this point I firmly believe that Hira Mani needs proper help. It’s time someone educated her because every time she utters something, it’s always nonsense. She needs to be told that not everything is a joke and Dua is just a kid who was apparently kidnapped. Eternal disgrace!”
Referring to how Indian actor Kangana Ranaut always makes headlines for her controversial statements, a user wrote, “Hira Mani is Pakistan’s Kangana Rananut minus the good acting.”
hira mani is the kangana ranaut of pakistan
— maryam (@maryammbrr) July 26, 2022
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