Ali Zafar hits back at Javed Akhtar's comments on the 26/11 Mumbai attack, saying, ‘Pakistan has suffered…’

The seasoned lyricist Javed Akhtar recently broke his silence at the Faiz Festival after previously criticising Pakistan for the atrocities of September 11, 2001. Celebrities including Ali Zafar attended the gathering held in honour of eminent Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. 

For the uninitiated, Akhtar took a risky decision when he stated that Mumbai still recalls the 26/11 incident during his appearance in Pakistan. He continued by saying that the assailants are still allowed to move throughout their nation and that people shouldn't take offence if "a Hindustani has a grievance in his heart." The local nationalists did not take kindly to this, and criticised him.

Ali Zafar attended the ceremony as well and expressed his gratitude to Javed Akhtar on social media. He was grateful for the chance to perform the well-known song "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga," written by Javed Akhtar, for his wife. The singer was quickly the focus of vicious trolls and derogatory remarks from nationalists.

Now, reacting to it all, Ali Zafar has now written on his Instagram stories, “Guys, I love you all and truly value your praise and criticism equally. But I always request one thing-verify facts before reaching any conclusion or judgment. I was not present at the Faiz Mela nor aware of what was said until the next day when I saw it on social media”

He continued, “I am a proud Pakistani and naturally, no Pakistani would appreciate any statement against its country or people specially at an event meant to bring hearts closer than further. We all know how much Pakistan has suffered and continues to suffer at the hands of terrorism and such insensitive and uncalled for remarks can deeply hurt the sentiments of so many people”