I refuse my activism be called into question: Mariyam Nafees clarifies why she attended the LSAs

After Osman Khalid Butt, actor Mariyam Nafees has addressed the backlash after the latter attended and hosted the red carpet at this year's Lux Style Awards. Several celebrities were called out after LSA 2022 was at the receiving end of criticism for nominating actor Feroze Khan for Best Actor (Male) - Viewer's Choice Award.

Nafees and Butt, who had previously called for action against Khan for allegedly abusing his former wife, Syeda Aliza, were questioned for attending the ceremony. Nafees has now taken to social media and addressed claims. "I refuse my activism be called into question," she wrote in a post, captioned 'Will continue to fight the good fight'.

Nafees further commented, "Did you see me interview any abuser or harasser? Did you see me in the same frame as them? Did you see me cheer for them? I did not and do not endorse any of those things I am being accused of. My stance does not and will not change."

She went on to add, "I was there to do my job. I have always gone above and beyond to raise my voice against harassment and abuse. You will always - ALWAYS - find me standing by the victims."

Previously, Butt, too, issued a clarification as to why he prominently attended the event. Taking to Twitter, the Chupke Chupke star shared a statement that revealed that he was contacted by the LSAs for a special homage to the Queen of Pop, Nazia Hassan. The said tribute served as a driving force for the actor to participate in the award show, he shared.

"I was contacted more than a week before the LSAs to perform a tribute to the immortal Nazia Hassan, who was to be awarded the Changemaker Award posthumously, and co-host a segment," Butt began, adding how at the time to contact "the nominations had not been announced."

The actor further shared, "My only reservation — which I made clear before agreeing — was that I could not attend, let alone perform at the ceremony if Feroze [Khan] was present there (which has absolutely nothing to do with his acting prowess, and everything to do with the very serious allegations levied by his ex-wife), and I was assured that he would not. That commitment was honoured."

The documents, available with The Express Tribune, confirm that Aliza submitted harrowing evidence of alleged abuse at the hands of Feroze in the court, along with several medical reports, dating back to 2020 and 2021. Several accounts of alleged abuse were submitted, as per the documents. The pictures are apparent evidence of Aliza's earlier claims of being subjected to 'severe physical abuse' by the actor.

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