At the Faiz Festival in Lahore, Indian lyricist, screenwriter, and poet Javed Akhtar made headlines with his bold statements on terrorism. Akhtar directly blamed Pakistan for promoting terrorism in India, stating that the terrorists responsible for the Mumbai attacks were still freely roaming in Pakistan. His statements, which have been widely shared on social media, have garnered attention in both India and Pakistan.
While Akhtar was warmly welcomed at the literary event, many social media users expressed disappointment and concern over his remarks. Pakistani megastar Shaan Shahid took to Twitter to criticize Akhtar, questioning why he remained silent on murders in Gujarat while blaming Pakistan for the Mumbai attacks. Other celebrities, such as YouTuber Arslan Naseer and actor Saboor Aly, also condemned Akhtar’s statements.
Despite the backlash, several Indian media outlets and internet users praised Akhtar for his bold stance against terrorism. The controversy has sparked a discussion on the complex relationship between India and Pakistan and the ongoing issue of terrorism in the region.
