The Twitter-verse seems to be buzzing due to an absurd and unlikely interaction that saw Senator Dr Affanullah Khan taking digs at actor Mahira Khan and renowned playwright Anwar Maqsood.
“Mahira Khan has [a] mental health problem and Anwar Maqsood is drunk in this part of life,” the politician penned in a tweet. “Both these shameless characters are cursed by [the] public. Books can be written on Mahira Khan's character -- she also flatters Indian actors for money. And Anwar Maqsood is a cursed character full of prejudice," he added.
ماہرہ خان کو مینٹل ہیلتھ پروبلم ہیں اور انور مقصود عمر کےاس حصہ میں شراب کےنشہ میں دھت رہتا ہے۔ان دونوں بےشرم کیریکٹر پر عوام کی لعنت ہو۔ماہرہ خان کےکردار پر تو کتابیں لکھی جا سکتی ہیں،یہ پیسہ کےلیےانڈین اداکاروں کی خوشامد بھی کرتی ہےاور انور مقصود تعصب سے بھرا ہوا لعنتی کردار ہے
— Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan (@afnanullahkh) March 20, 2023
His remark comes after videos of the star and satirist from a recent tête-à-tête at the Arts Council surfaced online. The discussion involved witty exchanges on politics and the importance of financial independence for women. In the process, Maqsood referenced Maryam Nawaz and Marriyum Aurangzeb in response to a question asked by Khan. A snippet of the moment naturally circulated online.
"Today, we see two women fighting, screaming, and giving each other poison. Why?" Khan is seen asking Maqsood in the clip. “The two women are Maryam Nawaz and Marriyum Aurangzeb,” replies the latter, as the audience erupts in laughter and cheers. Khan claps at his response too. Maqsood warns he's just giving an example. "But it's a brilliant example," she says. “I am not allowed to talk about politics," informs the humourist. "The situation is such. It’s going to get better, though. But poisoning happens in real life too, not just in dramas. Both are actors, not character actors,” he adds.
زہر اگلتی دو عورتیں ! pic.twitter.com/Q9cSKDeDqS
— Amber Tweets (@amber_rj) March 20, 2023
After the clip went viral, PML-N leader Hina Parvez Butt stood up for both the political figures and called out Khan's applauding of Maqsood's reference. "Apart from being a celebrity, Mahira Khan is also a woman," she pointed out. "It is sad that she laughed at and applauded Anwar Maqsood's verbal attacks on Maryam bibi and Maryam Aurangzeb. Maqsood's comments on the two brave women of Pakistan are also condemnable," added Butt.
ماہرہ خان celebrity ہونے کیساتھ ایک خاتون بھی ہیں، انور مقصود کیجانب سے مریم بی بی اور مریم اورنگزیب پر لفظی حملوں پر ماہرہ خان کا ہنسنا اور تالیاں بجانا افسوسناک ہے۔انور مقصود کیجانب سے پاکستان کی دو بہادر خواتین پر comments بھی قابل مذمت ہیں
— Hina Parvez Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) March 21, 2023
The disparaging and defamatory comments made by the PML-N Senator in response, however, are being condemned by several celebs, many of whom have come to the Superstar actor and scriptwriter's defence. Actor and singer Farhan Saeed was the first to take to his Twitter handle to write, “This is the mentality that doesn’t let [Pakistan] grow. [This] is what they do when someone just gives an opinion or has a political preference. They get personal so people stop giving their opinions.” Farhan capped off his tweet by stating, “Senator? Zuban jahilon wali.”
This is the mentality that doesn’t let #Pakistan grow , this is what they do when someone just gives an opinion or has a political preference . They get personal so people stop giving their opinion .
— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) March 21, 2023
Senator ? Zuban jahilon wali. #anwarmaqsood #mahirakhan https://t.co/jioZ3QU88C
Many agreed with the Suno Chanda actor’s remark. A user of the micro-blogging site tagged Jibran Ilyas, the social lead for PTI, requesting that everyone report the “sexist tweet” by the “disrespectful Senator,” further agreeing that this is why most celebrities don’t raise their voice. The user also hoped that the Humsafar star and lauded satirist would “file a defamation [suit].” Finally, they thanked the Pi Jaun singer for “highlighting this despicable behaviour.” In agreement with the Udaari star, another user called the politician a “sick-minded person."
@agentjay2009 bhai please request everyone to report this sexist tweet by this disrespectful Senator this is why most celebs dnt raise their voice! I hope @TheMahiraKhan and #anwarmaqsood file defamation Thankyou to @farhan_saeed for highlighting this despicable behaviour
— Aneesa Kiani (@kiani_aneesa) March 21, 2023
@farhan_saeed I agree with you
— Fatima Khan (@pinkoosagi) March 21, 2023
Such a sick minded person#anwarmaqsood #mahirakhan https://t.co/G4qZojVyl2
Meanwhile, actor and author Mira Sethi also lent her support to Khan and Maqsood, terming Dr Affanullah Khan's tweet "utterly shameful" and reflective of his character. “Political criticism must not lead to character assassination,” wrote actor Iffat Omar. “This is highly condemnable, and that too from PMLN who claims to be led by a woman,” she noted. Tagging Maryam Nawaz, Omar urged, "You must take immediate action against your senator. Act now, ma'am!"
Utterly shameful.
— Mira Sethi (@sethimirajee) March 21, 2023
Yey tweet aap ke kirdaar ke baarey mein zyaada bataati hai. https://t.co/kfjd58x8Zs
This is highly condemnable, and that too from PMLN who claims to be led by a woman.@MaryamNSharif, you must take immediate action against your senator.
— Iffat Omar Official (@OmarIffat) March 21, 2023
Political criticism must not lead to character assassination.
Act Now Ma'am. https://t.co/V9XE4t6hpG
Adnan Siddiqui also called out the “disgraceful behaviour from a public figure” on the micro-blogging site. He did not quote-tweet the senator or mention his name. "Such disgraceful behaviour from a public figure is unacceptable. The disrespect shown to Anwar Maqsood sahab and Mahira Khan, respected globally, is a reflection of his character, not the icons the gentleman insulted," wrote the actor. Actor Mishi Khan added, "This shows how low you can stoop. Use your position in a positive manner rather being so rude and crude. Shameful."
This shows how low you can stoop. Use your position in an positive manner rather being so rude & crude. Shameful https://t.co/UrmcxJMblM
— Mishi khan (@mishilicious) March 21, 2023
Such disgraceful behavior from a public figure is unacceptable. The disrespect shown to Anwar Maqsood sahib and Mahira Khan, respected globally, is a reflection of his character, not the icons the gentleman insulted.
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) March 21, 2023
Host Anoushey Ashraf demanded we fight "this dirty mindset head on," irrespective of which party it represents. "Calls himself a senator and Dr and shows extreme grace and class while addressing artists of his nation that have done so much more for Pakistan than he ever will. Not my senator, not my party," she declared. Aurat March Karachi, on the other hand, called out the sexist language. “Usage of such ‘low’ level sexist remarks from members of the ‘upper’ house of Parliament is unacceptable!”
Calls himself a senator and Dr and shows extreme grace and class while addressing artists of his nation that have done so much more for Pakistan than he ever will. Not my senator, not my party. We gotta fight this dirty mindset head on whichever party they belong to. @pmln_org https://t.co/mBXBudKrTw
— Anoushey Ashraf (@Anoushey_a) March 21, 2023
Wake 🆙 call for @SenatePakistan Please enrol your members in language classes to teach them how to not use filthy, vile & foul language esp against women. Usage of such “low” level sexist remarks from members of the “upper” house of Parliament is unacceptable!#SexistRemarks https://t.co/Ai7POCiu0D
— Aurat March - عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) March 21, 2023
Veteran actor Atiqa Odho penned an elaborate note for her "favourite people" on Instagram. "My two favourite people together in one frame," she wrote, posting a photo of Maqsood and Khan. "Anwar Maqsood a living legend and mentor and Mahira Khan is our beloved star. Both shine where ever they go and leave others way behind. Shameful when anyone dares to say anything against such hard working and committed people as these are national treasurers."
She urged for PMLN to "expel" the senator for behaving "so poorly from their party at once to teach him a lesson." The Humsafar star maintained that "such acts must not go unnoticed as these are not political people, and as citizens, have a right to an opinion within a true democracy." Odho concluded, "Hope action is taken and a public apology is given by PMLN."
While a host of celebrities and tweeps wrote in favour of the duo, many also found it hard to condemn the act or agree with Farhan. A user asked him to “act like a celebrity,” and to “stop becoming [a] political party tout,” ending their statement by saying, “Celebs don’t get into any political party’s agents.” One more questioned him about the language of the leader he is supporting. Finally, a user stated, “This was not a platform to give his political opinion. [He] should proudly announce his political associate, otherwise face these types of language and criticism.”
Act like a celebrity u have image to carry as Pakistani stop becoming political party Tout @farhan_saeed ... Celebs don't get into any political partys agents!!! https://t.co/Cx3Wi2xliR
— Nabeel Khan (@Nabeeell) March 21, 2023
Apk leader ki zuban k bary men khayal hy https://t.co/7d1DwKd1uG
— Hadi Mughal (@HadiMug77826323) March 21, 2023
this was not a platform to give his political opinion . he should proudly announce his political associate. otherwise face these type of language and criticism
— abid baloch (@abidbal60880796) March 21, 2023
Interactions like these highlight the importance of respectful discourse, which seems to be a fleeting aspect in the voicing of opinions or support.
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