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Mehwish Hayat, holder of the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, called out Bollywood and Hollywood for unduly tarnishing the image of Pakistan globally. Hayat appeared in an award ceremony in Oslo, Norway where she was awarded the auspicious Pride of Performance by the country’s Prime Minister, Erna Solberg.
Calling out Hollywood, Bollywood
In a video making the rounds on social media, Mehwish Hayat spread a message of love and harmony. She asserted that Bollywood could have used the platform to harness mutual understanding between the people of two countries.
“Bollywood could have used cinema to promote mutual understanding instead of vilifying us as they do. They need to decide what is more important, nationalistic fervour or a peaceful future,” she said.
In her speech, Mehwish Hayat raised concerns on the Indian atrocities ongoing for seven decades in Jammu Kashmir.
For the past two years, I have been very outspoken. I have realized that being an actress is not enough; I should use my voice for the causes I believe in.
“Like our Prime Minister Imran Khan said, if they (India) are willing to take one step, we are ready to take ten more,” she said during the speech. “I pray that common sense prevails and we are able to witness real peace in the region.”
While her speech won the hearts of many in Pakistan, she also confronted criticism from Indian Twitter users. Mehwish Hayat clapped back at the incoming dissension from Indian Twitter, asking them to stop state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan.
One Indian user wrote, “Pakistan stop sending terrorists to India and we will be at peace. You attack Mumbai, parliament and you think you are on the right side!”
Mehwish was quick to respond to the tweet, writing, “I wonder why your RAW sent their agent Kulbushan Jadhav to my country? Maybe he was also checking out how good our tea was?!”
Was truly honoured to be in Oslo last night to receive the Pride of Performance award from Norway's Prime Minister, The Right Honourable, Madam @erna_solberg. A real proud moment for me to be bringing Pakistan's message of peace to Norway, home of the Nobel Peace Prize 🇳🇴🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/m0bzCEE9d9
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) August 11, 2019
I was honoured to address distinguished guests in Oslo & talk abt film & peace.Also spoke abt how films frm Hollywood & our neighbours hv vilified Pakistan to a point that even I don't recognise the country that they show.Y is nobdy showing the sacrifices we hv made war on terror pic.twitter.com/hA6V1Q5m0q
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) August 11, 2019
This is a really great initiative to highlight the #Kashmir issue. I urge that as many people as possible turn up and send a very strong message to India that this sort of aggression is not going to be tolerated. Well done @sayedzbukhari we are all with you! pic.twitter.com/TofmxHt7g4
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) August 14, 2019
I wonder why your RAW sent their agent Kulbushan Jadhav to my country? Maybe he was also checking out how good our tea was?!
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) August 12, 2019
Hmm .. The answer is simple . Stop sending your spy(s) to my county ! 🤷🏻♀️
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) August 12, 2019
Support for the Kashmir Cause
Mehwish Hayat has been quite vocal about India’s violation of human rights in Jammu Kashmir. Hayat called out India for the use of its cluster bombs targeting children in Kashmir valley. Moreover, she rallied in support of Kashmiris along with other celebrities on social media after India abrogated its special status.
She is among the few celebrities who have bluntly criticized India’s scorn towards Pakistan.
“The use of cluster bombs in Kashmir is in clear violation of the Geneva Convention,” Mehwish wrote earlier. “There is no justification whatsoever. These are simple war crimes, the world has to wake up and put a stop to these atrocities now.”
Read more: Armeena Khan asks UNICEF to take action against Priyanka Chopra
She also lauded Syed Zulfikar Bukhari, special advisor to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistani, for organizing a massive protest outside Indian High Commission in the UK, on August 15th, India’s Independence Day, marked as Black Day in Pakistan following India’s unconstitutional act in Jammu Kashmir.
Mehwish Hayat released several messages on Twitter for the rights of Kashmiris. She censured Indian administration for communication blackout in the valley and urged American president Donald Trump to solve the crisis of Kashmir through mediation.
In her recent interview to BBC Asian Network, following her receiving of revered civil accolade Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Mehwish Hayat admitted of becoming extremely vocal over human rights issues, attributing it to her realizations of utilizing her power to bring a positive change in society.
“For the past two years, I have been very outspoken. I have realized that being an actress is not enough; I should use my voice for the causes I believe in.”
“It is all about being fearless, which I have always been with my roles, my career, and my choices. Why not raise my voice against issues that I feel strongly for. That’s why I have been very vocal about things and I am glad people respect that and that they listen to me.”
Read more: Mehwish Hayat among 127 to receive Tamgha-e-Imtiaz on 23rd March
Mehwish Hayat, the recent recipient of the prestigious ‘Tamgha-e-Imtiaz’, says she feels excited and honored to share the list with the legends and heroes. “It feels great to be in the same name list of legends and heroes who have received it,”
Mehwish Hayat, when asked about working in Bollywood, asserted that her priority lies in supporting and serving the novice entertainment industry of Pakistan.
The use of cluster bombs in Kashmir is in clear violation of the Geneva Convention. There is no justification for it whatsoever. These are simple war crimes – the world has to wake up and put a stop to these atrocities NOW! #SaveKashmirSOS #KashmirBleeds
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) August 4, 2019
India revoking article 370 is an outright betrayal of Kashmiri ppl. Still time to take up @POTUS & PM @ImranKhanPTI offer of mediation & resolve this. It's peoples' lives at stake here. Pls Stop this inhumanity &work 2gether for a solution. #Article370Scrapped #IStandWithKashmir
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) August 6, 2019
Why have all channels of communications in Kashmir been blocked? Why are the views of the Kashmiri people being suppressed? What are the Indians trying to hide? In the world’s biggest democracy shouldn’t freedom of speech be a basic human right?? #StandwithKashmir #KashmirBleeds
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) August 8, 2019