Pakistani celebrities call for peace and justice amid AJK unrest

Pakistan's entertainment industry has reacted to the recent unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with celebrities expressing solidarity with residents and calling for peace, justice and accountability.

Actor Durefishan shared a message on Instagram reflecting on growing political tensions.

The actor wrote, "You're too political. Of course I am. How could I not be when everything happening around me is connected to the lives we live? The prices we pay, the education we receive, the opportunities we get, and the future we are slowly building are all affected by the choices made by people in power. I speak up because I pay attention."

Concluding her message, Durefishan wrote, "Yes, I am political. Because how can I not be, when this is the country I call home."

Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Osman Khalid Butt, Minal Khan, Komal Meer, Nadia Afgan, Kinza Hashmi and Hina Afridi also shared posts highlighting the situation and expressing solidarity with the people of AJK.

Screengrab: haniaheheofficial, mahirakhan/Instagram

Screengrab: aclockworkabi, minalkhan.official, komallmeer, minalkhan.official, kinzahashmi, hinaafridiofficial/Instagram

TV host Anoushey Ashraf expressed concern over reports that Gazan activist Mushtaq Ahmed had been prevented from entering Kashmir while attempting to show solidarity with residents.

Screengrab: anousheyashraf/Instagram

Sharing a message on her Instagram Stories, she wrote, "They behave like they've given us such amazing lives that we stop trusting our own people and trust them? Trust your brothers in Pakistan. They're our families and our sisters. Our children. Not anyone else's agents."

Actor Mashal Khan also shared an emotional video with the caption, "Human life is HUMAN LIFE."

In the video, she said, "What is happening in the world? Every day on Instagram, there is something happening somewhere. This many people have died, that many people have died. We've made human lives worthless, as if the lives of mothers and children are worth money. Sometimes Kashmir, sometimes Iran."

"I don't know what the consequences will be for speaking out about this in this country, but what I have been seeing on social media is very disheartening," he said.

"There is not much I can do besides make this video and share my voice, hoping that it can help bring about change."

Meanwhile, actor Mishi Khan urged more members of Pakistan's entertainment industry to speak out.

"I am not saying to take up arms or go out onto the streets, but as citizens of Pakistan, it is our right to raise our voices on social media, speak out against what is wrong, and stand with the people of Kashmir."

Actors Samar Jafri and Bilal Qureshi also joined the growing chorus of voices.

Jafri shared an Instagram Story reading, "Sad to see what's happening in our country. My heart goes out to the people of Azad Kashmir."

Screengrab: samarjafri_, bilal.qureshi/Instagram

Qureshi, meanwhile, criticised Pakistan's entertainment industry for focusing on other issues instead of speaking about the ongoing situation.

"Disrespect happens in the industry every day. Please, for God's sake, talk about the national issue affecting our brothers and sisters and raise your voices for them. Kashmir bleeds!" he wrote.

As visuals from AJK continue to circulate online, public figures have used their platforms to express solidarity with residents while calling for peace, justice and accountability.