Pakistani celebrities came under heavy criticism for participating in Basant celebrations despite a recent deadly attack at an Imam Bargah in Islamabad.
The festival, banned for several years in Pakistan, was recently resumed and scheduled from February 6 to 8. People from across the country including many celebrities gathered in Lahore to mark the occasion. Among those in attendance were Saboor Ali, Sajal Ali, Ali Ansari, and Maya Ali, who shared videos of their celebrations on social media.
However, the festivities drew widespread condemnation online. Social media users expressed outrage at the perceived insensitivity of celebrities who continued to celebrate while the nation mourned victims of the Islamabad bombing on February 6.
One user wrote, “How easily they mislead the Muslim public, may Allah guide us,” while another questioned, “How can they celebrate despite the tragedy in Islamabad? Don’t they care for the innocent lives lost?” Others criticized the focus on frivolous celebrations instead of national concerns, urging celebrities to stop sharing such videos.
The incident highlights growing public expectations for celebrities to be socially conscious, especially during times of national mourning.