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KARACHI: In a somewhat predictable outcome of a series of unfortunate events, rap singer and anchor of television programmes Fakhr-i-Alam stepped down as chairman of the Sindh Board of Film Censors on Monday evening. He tendered his resignation to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

It all started after the distinguished qawwal Amjad Sabri’s gruesome murder on June 22. The killing shook the showbiz community, prompting them, led by Fakhr-i-Alam, to make a video in which they requested the government to provide them with the same security as government officials had. They said if that was not possible, the government should withdraw the security measures and staff that it had for its high-profile representatives. Basically, the argument was that the masses have been left to their own devices while those who are supposed to make the people’s lives safe have extraordinary protection.

The video went viral on social media and met with the public’s approval in general. Amjad Sabri was not just popular among music lovers but his amiable disposition had also endeared him to the artist fraternity. Therefore there was an air of purposeful seriousness to the message which struck a chord with showbiz followers.

But things took an unsavoury turn when Shehla Raza, deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly, unleashed her anger on the protesters, saying that the protesters’ leader, Alam, was the grandson of General Rani, a friend of a former ruler of the country, General Yahya Khan. Her real name was Aqleem Akhtar.

Ms Raza’s statement was considered as one delivered in bad taste, particularly bearing in mind that it’s the political party that she belongs to, the PPP, which had appointed Alam as chairman of the Censor Board. Her remark did not go down well, as it should not, with Alam’s fellow artists.

Talking to Dawn, Adnan Shah Tipu, who can be seen in the video with Alam, said: “We expect civilised responses in a civilised society. If this statement had come from someone who had no education or someone with no background, it would have been understandable, but I’m amazed that a big political figure has given such an immature statement. Don’t they know how free the media has become? Do they think that such a below-the-belt remark could go unpardoned? These are the kind of people that represent us. My father suffered lashes for the Peoples Party. Still, we [artists] have no political agenda. It all began when someone very close to us [Sabri] died. She [Ms Raza] said that security is for those whom people are familiar with (jinhein loag jaante hain). I say people are familiar with artists more than politicians.”

Actor Javed Sheikh said: “One should not come to the level of making personal comments (zaatiat per nahin utarna chahyey). Unfortunately, mud-slinging happens in politics. If someone is asking for security, it’s his right. If you feel he is wrong, prove him thus then. I mean, there are vehicles with tinted glasses for those whom no one knows. One should try and resolve the issue rather than make personal comments.”

Actor Faysal Qureshi said: “Some people were of the view that Fakhr-i-Alam was working with the rulers (hukumat mein hai) so he should step down, he said okay, and he resigned. What we are trying to do is to seek safety and security for everyone — be it artists, journalists, doctors, engineers … every Pakistani. It is unfair that one person is seen protected by 400 policemen and for those who need protection, there aren’t even four policemen. It’s time VIP culture was done away with. Instead, what we get is strange remarks from politicians.”

Originally published in Dawn, June 28th, 2016