A recent interview where popular actress Saba Qamar exclaimed ‘Astaghfirullah’ (God forbid) when asked about the possibility of relocating to Karachi sparked an intense debate on social media. Following the backlash, her close friends and prominent actors, Zahid Ahmed and Faysal Quraishi, have stepped forward to offer their perspectives on the issue. [File photos of Zahid Ahmed and Faysal Quraishi]
Zahid Ahmed’s Defense: Statement Taken Out of Context
Zahid Ahmed, a close colleague of Saba Qamar, came to her defense, asserting that:
“Saba is a strong woman; she is unfazed by any criticism. If people say things about her, she remains detached from it.”
He attempted to de-escalate the controversy, suggesting:
“It has become commonplace nowadays for comments to be taken out of context and made viral.”
Faysal Quraishi’s Harsh Reality Check: City is Deteriorating
In contrast, veteran actor Faysal Quraishi spoke emotionally about the deteriorating state of Karachi. While acknowledging that the city gave him everything, he conceded that its condition has genuinely worsened. He pointed out harsh realities:
- “Many of my friends have left the city.”
- “The traffic is dangerous, the roads are dilapidated, the sanitation system is poor, and there is no regard for the law.”
- He stressed that “the state of the city has genuinely deteriorated, which you won’t observe in Punjab or other regions.”
A Call for Unity and Understanding from Peers
To provide a more balanced view, other senior artists also weighed in:
- Mustafa Qureshi offered a positive perspective, stating that all cities in Pakistan hold their own importance, and “Karachi is the city of the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and that is its biggest identity.”
- Actress Hina Bayat Khawaja wrapped up the discussion gracefully, advising: “We should accept our differences. Our country is like a home, and the cities are its different rooms. Every room has its own fragrance, its own identity, and we should embrace it as such.”
Fans on social media have largely appreciated the nuanced views of these celebrities, agreeing that personal experiences shape perspectives and that every city in Pakistan possesses its own unique beauty.
