Actor Hira Tareen calls out those vandalising public property in the name of protest
Chaos has taken over many parts of the country since the arrest of former PM Imran Khan, with eight people killed and 290 injured during violent protests on Wednesday. More than 1,600 people have been arrested in Punjab for vandalism, many roads are blocked, buildings have been burnt down and protesters are fighting on the streets to release the PTI leader.
Actor Hira Tareen expressed her thoughts on the situation via her Instagram story, slamming “opportunists who are looking for the first chance to loot and steal and pinning it on the current political turmoil of the country.”
“I do believe peaceful protesting is our basic and fundamental right, but to vandalise and destroy property that serves the citizens AND comes from THEIR own tax money or taking part in violence and destruction generally in any form is further causing harm to the progress and prosperity of the nation. It’s contributing to uncertainty and an unsettling feeling,” she said.
Due to the uncertain security situation in the country, all Cambridge International Exams, scheduled to be held on Wednesday have been cancelled and schools in Punjab and many other areas have been closed. The Fasiq actor continued, “Children, students and their education is suffering because schools are closed. Please stop supporting these criminals who are out on the loose spreading terror.
“It’s hard for me to believe these people are loyal to any party (even if they say they are). Seems like opportunists who are looking for the first chance to loot and steal and pinning it on the current political turmoil of the country.”
Tareen questioned the actions of these violent protesters and urged people to be smart and not fall for this. She prayed for the country to survive this and for a better future.
“Regardless it’s a sad state of affairs. Burning Edhi ambulances? Seriously? Be smart and don’t fall for all this, I surely don’t believe everything the news tells me. Keep your families safe. Praying for everyone and our country to survive this and come out stronger. God bless us all and our future here.”
Protesting is a fundamental right, however, it needs to be done peacefully on both sides. Violence is never the answer.
