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Mahira Khan is a class act — and she demonstrated that class despite having something thrown at her at the Pakistan Literature Festival in Quetta. Brushing it off as one “miscreant” among 10,000 excited people, she said this just proves that we need to have more events like this.

Sharing a video of the incident on Instagram, the actor agreed that what happened was uncalled for. “No one should think it’s ok to throw something on stage, even if it’s a flower wrapped up in a paper plane. It sets the wrong precedent. It is unacceptable. There are times I get scared, not just for myself, but for others who may be trapped in a mob like situation,” she said.

For her part, the actor handled the situation with an astounding amount of grace — briefly acknowledging it and gently admonishing the person who threw the item.

“But hear me out — while we were on our way back someone said ‘after this we won’t have an event here’. I disagreed completely. That is not the solution. Here was a crowd of 10,000 or more… who were showing their love and excitement — the way they know best. Because I could see them I could see they didn’t know how to contain/express their excitement,” she said.

“Whoever the miscreant was, was one out of 10,000. Maybe I should have gotten up and left, maybe the crowd could have been screened, maybe I should not have been put on the spot…lots of could haves and should haves.”

Khan said she feels strongly that we need more events like these in more cities in Pakistan. Most literature festivals or other events of this nature are limited to big cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. While they may venture out to a few other cities, events of this nature are few and far in between, especially those that feature celebrity guests.

“The more you are exposed the more you are aware and educated. Normalise it. And see what happens. People, cities, our culture, our understanding of each other (which lacks), unity (which lacks even more)…it will all flourish!”

Khan was all praises for her time in Quetta — “I met the most amazing people. We sat together under the beautiful Quetta sky, ate delicious food.. while we shared stories, laughed and made plans for my next visit. I come back enriched.”

“I love you Quetta. Thank you for the insane amount of love. There shall and will be a next time.. and on every end we will be better. InshAllah.”

We have to hand it to her, Mahira Khan has a lot more grace than the rest of us and is far more understanding of her fans than most other celebrities who are quick to anger in moments of disrespect.