Assigning blame without proof only deepens divides'

Beloved Pakistani actor Hania Aamir has publicly refuted a viral social media post falsely attributed to her in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The fake post, which circulated widely across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), claimed Hania blamed the Pakistan Army for the attack and appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to spare Pakistani civilians in the aftermath.

The alleged post, styled to look like an Instagram Story from the actor's account, accused Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, of orchestrating the violence. It also urged the Indian government to differentiate between military decisions and the sentiments of the Pakistani public. But Hania has now firmly denounced the quote, calling it entirely fabricated and misrepresentative of her views.

"Recently, a statement has been falsely attributed to me and is being widely circulated on social media. I want to address this directly: I did not make this statement, and I do not endorse or align with the words being linked to me," she clarified in a statement shared on her verified Instagram account. "It is entirely fabricated and misrepresents who I am and what I believe."

The fake post gained traction following the deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where armed terrorists opened fire on tourists in the Baisaran grasslands, killing 26 people, 25 of them visitors. The tragedy sparked an outpouring of grief, and political rhetoric around the incident intensified, especially online.

Hania was among the first Pakistani public figures to condemn the violence. In her real statement, she expressed deep sorrow for the victims, calling for empathy over blame. "This is a deeply sensitive and emotional time. My heart goes out to the innocent lives lost and the families affected by the recent tragedy. Pain like this is real, and it deserves empathy, not politicisation," she wrote.

The Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum star also addressed the dangers of misinformation during moments of political tension, warning that reactionary posts based on unverified claims can escalate hostility between already strained nations. "In times like these, it's easy to let emotions cloud our judgment," Hania wrote, "but we must remember: the actions of extremists do not represent an entire nation or its people. Assigning blame without proof only deepens divides and distracts from the real need for compassion, justice, and healing."

A war on the entertainment industry

The controversy emerged amid rising digital censorship. Several Pakistani celebrities, including Hania, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar, and Sajal Ali, have had their Instagram accounts restricted in India. Visitors from India trying to access these profiles now see the message: "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."

Hania's response not only addressed the fake quote but also tackled the larger implications of public vilification and collective punishment. "To my beloved supporters, your love means everything to me," she continued. "I kindly ask everyone to check the truth before sharing and to approach these difficult times with kindness and clarity."

Her statement concludes on a hopeful note, reaffirming her values amid the noise. "Let us honour those impacted by choosing empathy, truth, and togetherness. I remain committed to spreading positivity and respect in all that I do. With sincere condolences and hope for peace."

As tensions continue to simmer across borders and screens, Hania's call for nuance and compassion stands in sharp contrast to the rapid-fire spread of misinformation and nationalism that often follows such tragedies. In an age of viral disinformation, her voice is a reminder of the need for accountability and the importance of navigating truth in the digital world.