Dawn Images

Pakistani celebrities are condemning the late-night strikes launched by India on six sites in Pakistan, including Punjab’s Sialkot and Bahawalpur, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and are praying for the protection of the country.

The military confrontation between the neighbouring countries began a little after 1am on Wednesday with the Indian air strikes when the neighbouring country launched what it termed “Operation Sindoor”. Soon after reports emerged, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the strikes, saying that India had carried out the attacks from within its airspace. Twenty-six civilians have died in the attacks and 46 have been injured.

Pakistan’s military has downed five Indian jets, destroyed Indian brigade headquarters and a checkpost along the Line of Control.

Reactions

Mahira Khan

Mahira Khan, who has worked in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan on the film Raees, shared a post by author and activist Fatima Bhutto about India being a “rogue actor”, and called the Indian strikes “seriously cowardly.”

Mahira prayed for the protection of Pakistan and hoped that better sensibilities prevailed.

In a second post, shared to her Instagram, Mahira said she was grateful to live in a country where she was not dictated about what she had to say.

“I have a voice and I CAN use it. We speak up when there are injustices in our own land, we condemn violence wherever it happens even when my country Pakistan is instantly blamed without ANY evidence.

“India, your war and hate rhetoric has continued for many years. Have seen and experienced it with my own eyes. Your media fans the flames of division. Your most powerful voices remain silent in the face of genocide and war crimes — silenced not by law, but by fear! And in that fear, you claim victory.”

Mahira said to her, India’s silence was its greatest defeat. She shamed them for attacking cities in the middle of the night and calling it a victory.

“My Pakistan, I love you. May we do the right thing. May we never stoop to that level even after this heinous provocation. May peace prevail.”

Fawad Khan

Fawad Khan, whose upcoming Bollywood return in the romantic film Abir Gulaal came to a halt after the film’s release was cancelled in India following the Pahalgam attack, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

“I pray for the souls of the deceased and strength for their loved ones in the days to come,” Fawad wrote on his Instagram story.

The Humsafar actor also respectfully respected that people “stop stoking the flames with rabble-rousing words. It is not worth the lives of innocent people.”

Hania Aamir

Hania Aamir, who holds a massive fan following in India, called the attack “cowardly”.

In a second Instagram story, the actor wrote, “I don’t have fancy words right now. I just have anger, pain, and a heavy heart. A child is gone. Families are shattered. And for what? This is not how you protect anyone. This is cruelty — plain and simple.

“You don’t get to bomb innocent people and call it strategy. This isn’t strength. This is shameful. This is cowardly. And we see you.”

Ayeza Khan and Danish Taimoor

Ayeza Khan, sharing a post on her Instagram, said she stood with humanity. “Humanity comes first above religion, race, nationality, politics or personal interests.”

The edited caption of her post read, “I stand with Pakistan”, and the comment section of her post was closed.

Meanwhile, her husband and fellow actor, Danish Taimoor shared a picture of Pakistan’s flag and prayed that God kept everyone safe.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Activist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto took to his Instagram story and wrote, “Pakistan is a proud federation, born from the collective will of its peoples who rose against oppression and injustice. Today, we reaffirm our unity in the face of Indian aggression and any attempt to undermine our sovereignty.”

Zulfikar added that Pakistan was not a nation that yields to threats, calling Pakistanis a “resilient people, rooted in courage and dignity.”

“For the sake of our Indus, for the sanctity of our soil, we shall stand firm — dignified, defiant and unwavering in our resolve.”

Osman Khalid Butt

Osman Khalid Butt reshared a tweet from an Indian account on X (formerly Twitter) that said, “Tomorrow morning: Pajistanis will play victim like Gaza by showing children under rubble.”

Butt wrote, “Zionists and Hindutva extremists really are cut from the same cloth.

Mawra Hocane

Mawra Hocane, whose Bollywood film Sanam Teri Kasam shattered records within just a week of its re-release in India, strongly condemned “India’s cowardly attack on Pakistan”, highlighting that innocent civilians lost their lives.

“May Allah protect us all, may sense prevail,” the actor said.

Ameer Gilani

Mawra’s husband and fellow actor Ameer Gilani also called India’s move a “cowardly attack” and mourned the innocent lives lost, “all for a mere vote bank”.

He said that the incident was “shameful” and added a prayer for the country.

Urwa Hocane

“We are not fighting a war enemy at the moment! We are fighting a petty neighbour with a small ego-centric mindset that wants to prove a fake propaganda point of view for a mere political campaign coming up,” actor Urwa Hocane wrote on Instagram.

“Disgusting and screw you because Pakistan Zindabad and Pak army Paindabad.”

Kubra Khan

Kubra Khan wrote, “I don’t think anyone is sleeping tonight. There is no joy in innocent lives being taken. No matter where they are. Sadly, I see celebrations over a child’s death. This breaks my heart. I pray for safety for all of us.”

The actor sent strength to Pakistani soldiers protecting the nation, adding that after Allah, people were counting on them.

She detailed a list of precautionary measures in case of a blackout, encouraging people to keep their phones and power banks charged, to stay at home, to avoid the spread of false news and to halt meme making.

Aima Baig

Aima Baig said her heart was heavy as war only brought pain — for soldiers, families and nations. “I’m praying for peace, and for the strength of every soul affected. As a daughter of Pakistan, I stand with my people — not in hatred but in hope.”

The singer hoped that dialogue would win over destruction and that humanity would rise above conflict.

In a second story posted to her Instagram, Baig said she may be an artist for the world but her heart would always belong to Pakistan,

“Today, as our borders echo with courage, I stand firmly with my people. We are a nation that doesn’t provoke — but never backs down. My prayers are with the brave and my voice is for peace with honour.

“Pakistan Zindabad. Always.”

Zara Noor Abbas

“Children were sleeping. Women and children. Sleeping in their homes. This is unfair. This is a crime. I condemn the war. I condemn the escalation of violence and the violation of Pakistan’s airspace,” Zara Noor Abbas wrote.

The actor maintained that war served no purpose except martyring innocent lives. She urged people to think of the women, children ,and of the soldiers up in the air “firing missiles, deciding who goes down first.”

“No child should sleep to the sound of fighter jets. No mother should worry about what tomorrow will bring for her family. To both sides: human life is not a game.”

Abbas said that as a daughter of the soil of Pakistan, she stood for her country and prayed for peace.

Durefishan Saleem

Durefishan Saleem shared news that flights were cancelled in Pakistan for 12 hours and hoped that the ordeal didn’t last for more than the designated time.

“I hope, I hope we all can go back to our families. I really, really hope sense prevails,” the actor said.

Saleem also posted the national anthem of Pakistan and said, “Pakistan always and always.”

“Lasting peace and real progress come through dialogue, not war. Every missile strike, every act of aggression, only deepens wounds and fuels cycles of hatred.”

The actor maintained that Hindutva was not Hinduism, but rather it was a political ideology rooted in division, exclusion, and extremism.

“Under [Narendra] Modi’s leadership, this ideology has pushed India further away from secularism and closer to communal chaos. Silence in the face of this rising extremism is complicity. We must stand for justice on all sides — not just when it suits our narrative.”

She maintained that peace required courage, which needed calling out every form of hate, regardless of who it came from.

Ali Safina and Hira Tareen

Actor Ali Safina prayed for everyone’s safety and condemned the Indian government for launching an attack on Pakistani soil and “killing innocent civilians yet again.”

“Pakistan will prevail.”

His wife, actor and model Hira Tareen, shared the news that India attacked Pakistan in the middle of the night and that Pakistan was retaliating.

“The world is already burning with hatred and destruction fuelled by politics and now this,” she wrote.

Aiman and Minal Khan

Twins Aiman and Minal Khan voiced their support for Pakistan. Aiman prayed for Pakistan and the safety of the country and its people. In an Instagram post, she also shared a quote by the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which stated, “There is no power on earth that can undo Pakistan.”

Minal shared a picture of the Pakistan flag and captioned it, “Long live Pakistan.”

Farhan Saeed

Musician and actor Farhan Saeed thanked Jinnah, and prayed for help. “Pakistan Zindabad,” he wrote.

Sabeena Farooq

“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!” Sabeena Farooq said.

The actor hoped and prayed that no innocent life was hurt by Pakistan because Pakistan would “never support any harm done to any common and innocent human.”

Usama Khan

Actor Usama Khan stated that war could never be an option. However, he said that after Pakistan tried every way possible, requested a neutral inquiry, condemned the terror attack, and did everything “possible to stop this”, “if you impose war on us, then we are not afraid.”

He urged Indians to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop this.

Hina Altaf

“I strongly condemn the attack on our masjid — a sacred place deeply connected to our Muslim sentiments. A child lost his life, and 12 others were injured. Civilian areas were targeted,” Hina Altaf said.

The actor stated that this was a painful reminder of the cost that innocent lives continue to bear.

Mansha Pasha

Mansha Pasha prayed for the lives lost, for Pakistan, for her fellow countrymen and women and for peace in the region.

Bilal Abbas Khan

Actor Bilal Abbas Khan said India’s act was nothing short of a disgraceful and cowardly act. “Attacking innocent civilians, taking innocent lives — this is a crime against humanity and cannot be justified or ignored. My heart aches for every Pakistani family that has lost a loved one today.”

He continued that Pakistan would not forget this brutality or stay silent in the face of injustice. He prayed for the people and future of Pakistan, “a future where such senseless violence has no place.”

“Today, we stand united, stronger and prouder than ever!”

Shahroz Sabzwari

Actor Shahroz Sabzwari shared a picture of the Pakistan Army’s uniform and wrote, “Pak army, we are with you.”

Shae Gill

Singer Shae Gill shared news of the strikes and wrote, “Praying for all my brothers and sisters. God save us.”

Asad Siddiqui

Actor Asad Siddiqui said, “Pakistan Zindabad” and prayed to God.

Ramsha Khan

Actor Ramsha Khan prayed for the protection of Pakistan and its people.

Fahad Mustafa

Actor Fahad Mustafa also prayed to God and cheered Pakistan on.

Zoya Nasir

“Targeting densely populated civilian areas, mosques and water reserves is not what you call a strategic defensive retaliation. This is a cowardly war crime to cripple a country,” actor Zoya Nasir wrote in a series of Instagram stories.

She said India took an extreme measure, without proof, due to Islamophobia, which was “fuelled by Modi’s fascist government.”

“The misreporting and radical journalism in India is celebrating this act of war crime while every Pakistani whole heartedly condemned the Pahalgam attack.”

She said that as Pakistan cried for Pahalgam, Indians cheered and celebrated a child and civilians dying, and mosques and water reserves being destroyed.

“What India has done is unprovoked and unwanted. They’ve already raised a white flag at LOC (Line of Control). Because we don’t have anything to lose, but everything to give.”

Nasir continued that Pakistan was not racing to be a superpower or become the fifth-largest economy in the world, nor did it have an impressive Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“What we do is survive, and that we do well. What we do is defend our honour and our freedom, and that we do well. A country with nothing to lose is not to be messed with, because all we can do is gain after this.” She called it a very dangerous emotion that the nation felt towards those who wished it ill.

“Let us not act on [it]. Let it not come to this,” she urged.

“We may seem lost and vulnerable but nothing unites us like national crises that threatens what we hold sacred. Let the peace prevail.”

Ushna Shah

“While India continues to paint us as aggressors and terrorists, let the world see the truth. Every Pakistani condemned the Pahalgam attack. We, as a people, have never celebrated violence or hatred toward our neighbour,” Ushna Shah wrote in an Instagram post.

She maintained that Pakistan, in its art and media, always chose peace, humanity and compassion. Shah added that Pakistan mourned the innocent lives lost in Pahalgam and that no one on Pakistan’s side “ever” wanted this.

“Pakistan is a nation of resilience, creativity, and kindness. Even in adversity, we choose unity and light. But our goodwill must not be mistaken for weakness.

“Yet the baseless accusations and hate-mongering continue from one side, now escalating into cowardly attacks on our civilians, our children. This boils our blood. Attacking civilians at night is the lowest form of cowardice.”

Shah said that Pakistan’s response to the baseless media attacks was simply done through lighthearted memes because Pakistan as a nation was “witty, funny and kind.”

“But this should never be mistaken for weakness. We stand firmly with our forces and with our people. I understand that citizens are not responsible for the actions of their governments. I know many across the border feel the same. But now, we must unite on our side. Our lives, the lives of our children, our families, and our homes are at risk.”

The actor stated that both countries were nuclear powers and that a war would be catastrophic for everyone involved, and neither side could afford such a tragedy.

“Regardless of our country’s political climate, the time to unite is now. We must stand behind our troops as if our lives depend on it, because THEY QUITE LITERALLY DO.”

Erica Robin

Model Erica Robin posted a picture of Pakistan’s flag and wrote that the situation between Pakistan and India was beyond heartbreaking.

“While Indian officials claim their recent strikes were on militant targets, reports from the ground show a very different reality: civilian areas were hit, mosques were destroyed, and innocent children lost their lives.

“Access to alternate narratives has been restricted, with many pages blocked in India, allowing only one version of the story to dominate. But truth doesn’t need filters. It just needs eyes willing to see and hearts willing to feel.”

Robin detailed that for as long as she could remember, every five years, “like clockwork, just before Indian elections, tensions rise dramatically.” She also gave a timeline of events, trying to draw a parallel between India’s actions and elections.

“How is this still a coincidence? How many more times will innocent lives be lost so politicians can win votes? Why are so many still blind to this pattern?”

The model questioned how people were ignorant enough to actually believe that “Pakistan just randomly decides to attack every time India is about to hold elections?”

Robin said she was proud to be from a country where she could raise her voice and speak the truth, even when it was uncomfortable. She vowed to keep speaking up because silence helped no one.

“No more war. No more politics over human lives. Both countries should be vouching for peace, not laughing across borders while innocent people are being killed.

“Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s choose peace.”

Sajal Aly

“Targeting civilian areas and causing the death of innocent people is not strength, it’s cowardice,” Sajal Aly wrote.

“No narrative, no agenda, no justification can defend such a disgraceful act,” the actor said.

Aly offered her condolences to the families of the victims, adding that Pakistan stood united.