No right to criticise, says Sabeena Farooq

Actor objects to excessive trolling

In a recent Instagram Story, Sabeena Farooq spoke up against the rampant criticism celebrities receive on every action. Calling out those who fuel the trolling, she said, “Not everyone with a blue tick has the right to criticise and call out celebrities (mind you, there are many). Enough with this. We talk, protest, do everything, and still get trolled.”

Sabeena urged netizens to walk in the shoes of showbiz artists before raising a finger. “You are not receiving thousands of abusive messages everyday, it’s us. Come and take our place first, then talk,” she emphasised. “Also, just because a few artists don’t speak up doesn’t mean you should hold the entire artist community accountable. Period.”

The Mann Jogi actor’s comments come at a time when Pakistani celebrities are at odds with their Bollywood counterparts and the Indian media for supporting India’s deadly ‘Operation Sindoor’. In the recent past, many Pakistani showbiz professionals have spoken up against India’s war-mongering attitude towards Pakistan.

Sabeena was among those who condemned India’s aerial attack on Pakistani civilians. “It’s sad. It’s sickening. I don’t want to talk about countries, but do we really want to witness this? Watch innocent people die and call it a Modi celebration? Killing people in the dark is plain cruel!”

Expressing sharp disapproval of the hate campaigning, she added, “I hope and pray that no innocent life is hurt by our side because you can hate us all you want, but we don’t and will never support any harm done to an innocent human being.”

True to her words, Sabeena earlier joined her peers in grieving over the attack in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “Whether it is Palestine or Pahalgam, homes have been uprooted and people have seen their loved ones get killed before their eyes. Those who’ve departed are dead, and those who’ve been left behind will die everyday. We can’t fathom the pain of these people.”

Urging netizens and the media to respond respectfully, she continued, “Please, Pakistani social media, not everything is a joke. Please allow some empathy to find you. As for Indian media, don’t spread hate and don’t brainwash people. Show some responsibility. Pain should not be made into an opportunity.”

Along with Sabeena, many Pakistani artists called out the Indian media for spreading misinformation during the period of crisis. Celebrities such as Farhan Saeed and Umair Jaswal were prompt in criticising irresponsible reporting and fake news. Umair wrote on Instagram Stories, “Open your eyes, neighbours.”