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Celebrities defend colleagues attending HUM Awards, say some proceeds from the show will be given to flood affectees

Celebrities defend colleagues attending HUM Awards, say some proceeds from the show will be given to flood affectees

Ushna Shah, Maryam Nafees, Ahmed Ali Butt, Nadia Hussain and Zhalay Sarhadi have spoken up, reminding people that celebrities have donated money too.
23 Sep, 2022

If you’ve been keeping up with your favourite celebrities, you’ve probably noticed that most of them have been catching flights to Toronto, Canada to attend the annual HUM Awards. But while people usually love seeing celebs’ travel pictures, this time, their adventures weren’t appreciated by their followers who criticised them for attending the event instead of helping people affected by the floods in Pakistan. Several celebrities are now speaking up in their defence and the defence of their colleagues.

Ushna Shah issued a statement saying that a good amount of the proceeds from the event will be donated for flood relief whereas Ahmed Ali Butt, Zhalay Sarhadi, Mariyam Nafees and model Nadia Hussain defended those in attendance, saying they are just doing “their job”.

On Thursday, Habs actor Shah took to Twitter where she shared her statement. In it, she wrote, “It’s quite disconcerting to read the criticism for those of us who have come to Toronto to attend the award show. It is imperative that those affected by the floods know that they are not forgotten and we are working on channels to raise funds through our industry.”

Shah said that she can vouch for herself and other artists when she says that everyone has contributed to the relief funds “privately” and continues to do so. As far as attending an award show is concerned, she wrote that 50 per cent of the revenue of this sold out show goes to the families affected by the floods for which they also took part in a fundraiser in Canada. She later corrected herself to say that her figure of 50pc was incorrect.

The actor said she hopes to continue doing her part after returning to the country as the rehabilitation of fellow citizens after this “horrific disaster” is a collective responsibility. “We must also shed international light on the effects of climate change which has affected Pakistan the most,” she wrote.

Actor and singer Ahmed Ali Butt took to his Instagram stories and mocked Angelina Jolie’s visit to Pakistan. “Since everyone is in [awe] of Angi baji visiting for three days, and how dare us Pakistani celebrities flew to Toronto to PARTY? By party you mean doing a fundraising dinner for flood relief which is sold out and by doing a SOLD OUT award show in advance, of which a percentage will go to the flood victims again,” he wrote.

Expressing his disappointment, he added that despite their efforts, people would laud Jolie instead of them. “Keya karain humain Sharmila… I mean sharam nahi aati [what to do, Sharmila.. I mean, we don’t feel ashamed]. But thanks for being supportive as always towards your entertainment industry (sarcasm),” he wrote, taking a dig at PPP leader Sharmila Faruqi who went after the celebrities attending the award show.

Model Nadia Hussain questioned why people forget that any international celebrity coming to Pakistan is coming not on their own “but to represent an international charity organisation”.

“They are doing their job, just like any of our celebrities [who] are abroad doing their job or our cricketers [who] are playing cricket doing their job!! The ones who have gone to flood affected areas on their own accord are actually the ones to commend.”

She requested people not to point fingers at anyone and instead look at the four fingers pointing back at them, four times questioning whether if they have done their part or not. “All of us doing whatever we can is still less for the affectees!!! Let’s just keep doing what we ourselves can and not question anyone else,” wrote the model.

Actors Mariyam Nafees and Zhalay Sarhadi also jumped in to defend their fellow entertainment industry stars. Nafees took to Twitter and retweeted a person criticising the celebrities who had gone to Canada. She wrote, “Kya [what] etc etc? Me and my husband personally went. Hadiqa Kiani is on the ground. Resham ji went. The celebs donated SO MUCH that ya’ll know nothing about. Publish karo to masla na karho to masla [if we publish there’s an issue if we don’t then too there’s an issue]. You do you!”

The Diyar-e-Dil star also wrote that there’s nothing to prove to anyone and that the “government owes it to people” to work for their benefit. Taking the conversation to Instagram, Nafees questioned the people and requested them to stop “attacking the celebs” and to start working themselves. “Baatein karna bara asaan hai [It’s easy to talk], get to work! Flood victims need EVERYBODY,” she wrote.

Sarhadi shared a photo of herself talking to people and wrote that people in the affected areas “need your help and focus the most!” She exclaimed that this is where people are needed, not on social media “slamming people” they think are not doing what they ought to do. “Un kay aamaal unkay haain aap kay aamal aap kay [Their actions are theirs, your actions are yours],” Sarhadi wrote with the hashtag #bebetter.

HUM gala

Meanwhile. HUM TV held a fundraising gala in Toronto in order to raise funds for relief and rehabilitation efforts.

In a press release, the network stated that apart from the artists who travelled for the HUM Awards, the gala night was supported by designers Shamsha Hashwani, Sana Safinaz, Nilofer Shahid, Faiza Samee, Rizwan Beyg, Sania Maskatiya and Warda Saleem. Cricketers including Waseem Akram, Javed Miandad, Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shan Masood and Naseem Shah also supported the cause by providing signed cricket bats and kits.

All proceeds from the gala night, auction of cricket items as well as designer clothes will go to the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the flood affected regions of the country, according to the network.

 Photos: HUM TV
Photos: HUM TV

Pakistan has so far suffered damage of about $10 billion, with 33 million people affected and displaced. Here is an extensive list of organisations accepting donations and working to aid people affected by the floods.

Comments

Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Sep 23, 2022 03:13pm
These bunch of losers and so called celebrities are only good for statements to gain cheap publicity. Honestly long gone the days when we use to have real celebrities. No one needs your help you enjoy your cheap show. We are standing with our nation and flood victims.
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NoVoice Sep 23, 2022 03:15pm
We have very low level celebrities, talent and mindset wise. But same goes for politicians, priests and judges. All say 'do as i say, not as I do'.
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Alrehan Sep 23, 2022 03:21pm
Hum Awards will donate money more sales more money to flood victims . Don't ruin these awards and fulfill your duties.
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Asfand Sep 23, 2022 03:34pm
Why they will not defend They are making money and enjoying themselves
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Love Your Country Sep 23, 2022 03:37pm
When we all should be mourning the death of hundreds of people in the floods, public rallies and lavish award ceremonies continue. Tells you a lot about our overall culture, doesn't it?
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A Pakistani Sep 23, 2022 03:38pm
Hum tv is a profit base organization and they have done nothing to help flood victims !
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Alejandra Sep 23, 2022 03:40pm
Online poker
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Sep 23, 2022 03:58pm
United we stand, divided we fall.
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Mahnoor Malik Sep 23, 2022 04:15pm
The truth is that these celebrities want stamps on their passports to get long term Canadian visas. This Award ceremony is a big trick to dodge the Canadian Visa Authorities. and to justify their visit to Canada. Anyway awards are for Pakistani dramas. So why the award ceremony is being held in Canada?. Hundreds of people and our elite are flying to Canada to attend this ceremony. Millions of Dollars are flowing out as they will change Pak rupee to Canadian dollars. So the hard earned foreign exchage of Pakistan will be spent in Canada.
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Sami Sep 23, 2022 04:39pm
Everyone should do what they can in an individual capacity to help and aid the flood victims. Not going to an award function is the answer to the flood problem especially coming from politician like Sharmila Farooqi of PPP - the party which has stolen public money day in and day out for over couple of decades and still trying to steal from the aid coming in for flood victims too.
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Abdullah Sep 23, 2022 05:01pm
What is the percentage that will be donated.1% or 2 %.So stop cashing the troible of poor people.
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Tahir Raouf Sep 23, 2022 05:23pm
Is this the time of for this extravaganza when foreign top celebrities and dignitaries are coming to Pakistan to show sympathy to flood victims and Hum Awards are taking this entourage to Toronto, what kind of image we are portraying about flood stricken country
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Imran Sep 23, 2022 05:26pm
regardless it gives a bad taste that people are dancing and singing while more that 50% of countrymen have lost all their belongings and suffering.
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Shaun Sep 23, 2022 05:31pm
Money first then country.
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Imran Sep 23, 2022 05:50pm
Why no do this in Pakistan and send a good percentage as relief funds. Why spend so much on airline and hotels and food in another country and not helping your own economy. I am not against the industry to do awards show but at times it is important to have your priorities in order.
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Imran Sep 23, 2022 06:30pm
Did any of you rich folk decide or think it would be a good idea to visit the flood hit area's? Very bad taste to have these awards, should have perhaps had a telethon instead.
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Tahmad Sep 23, 2022 06:53pm
As a good gestures, HUM management should postponed this events until next year sometime in October or November 2023 due to the heavy floods and destructions and lost of lives in Pakistan.
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nk Sep 23, 2022 07:20pm
Some proceeds and a lame excuse
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Arsalan Sep 23, 2022 07:22pm
Dear Celebrities, We have watched your performances on TV and on Big Screen and appreciated it, but your response to the biggest humanitarian crisis of Pakistan was way below par. Your have miserably failed to show your presence among the flood victims to show how much you love and care about them and in this time of calamity they are not alone. You must know, they want to see you among them, it is a feel-good factor and good for their mental health, which you have deprived them, by visiting them you could have send the message to them directly and through TV channels and social media that the whole Pakistan is with them, Which Is A Very Important Message. Please at least visit your local Flood Relief Camps in small groups on regular basis. It will not only be a show of solidarity, but also generate more funds for the flood victims and above all It Will Look Good On You Too.
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Arsalan Sep 23, 2022 07:29pm
Dear Celebrities, We have watched your performances on TV and on Big Screen and appreciated it, but your response to the biggest humanitarian crisis of Pakistan was way below par. Your have miserably failed to show your presence among the flood victims to show how much you love and care about them and in this time of calamity they are not alone. You must know, they want to see you among them, it is a feel-good factor and good for their mental health, which you have deprived them, by visiting them you could have send the message to them directly and through TV channels and social media that the whole Pakistan is with them, Which Is A Very Important Message. Please at least visit your local Flood Relief Camps in small groups on regular basis. It will not only be a show of solidarity, but also generate more funds for the flood victims and above all It Will Look Good On You Too.
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Ehsan Sep 23, 2022 07:39pm
Every strata of the society should support each other rather then degrading each other thats the only way we can progress
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Arsalan Sep 23, 2022 07:50pm
Dear Tik Tokers, Where are you hiding? You have a job to do. Please visit the Flood Relief Camps and show your talent. Thanks
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Arsalan Sep 23, 2022 09:12pm
We must appreciate all those Celebrities, who are raising funds for flood affecties and visiting Flood Relief Camps.
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Aamir Latif Sep 23, 2022 09:23pm
Given the devastation of Floods in the country, such gala events should have been postponed..... Instead all efforts should be to support affectees... Gala event is not running away...
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Sadar Uddin Sep 23, 2022 09:47pm
@Arsalan I agree! When Celebrities and Tik Tokers with the cameras visit the Flood Relief Camps, automatically the services will improve at those camps.
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Isthisreal Sep 24, 2022 01:47am
Why are we now getting flooded by publicity stunts ? Water misery was enough
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Wahab UK Sep 24, 2022 04:03am
Loosers brigade out preaching again!
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Abdul Sep 24, 2022 04:57am
These awards should have postponed to later dates due to flood disaster.
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