• The renowned Indian author had expressed admiration for Pakistan’s legendary vocalists.
• Javed Akhtar blamed Pakistan for the horrific attacks.
• Pakistani lost its sense of tolerance.

Renowned novelist Mustansar Hussain Tarar, an actor and columnist, has categorically denounced the anti-Pakistan sentiments made by Indian artist and poet Javed Akhtar.

The renowned Indian author had expressed admiration for Pakistan’s legendary vocalists during a recent event in Lahore, but the feeling was not returned. He claimed that while large-scale concerts were planned for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan in India, no similar concert was planned for the great Indian vocalist Lata Mangeshkar in Pakistan.

Akhtar blamed Pakistan for the horrific attacks on Mumbai and claimed that those responsible were still free to traverse the country. In response to Akhtar’s words, other Pakistani celebrities expressed their indignation.

Speaking at the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF), Tarrar criticised Akhtar’s remarks and claimed that after hearing them, he felt embarrassed of himself. Nonetheless, he didn’t think Akhtar’s comments merited criticism. But he asserted that as a country, Pakistan had lost its sense of tolerance.

The show-stealing remarks came from “Bahao” author, who is known for his audacious pronouncements. He voiced the opinion that, in order to be awarded the Nobel Prize, a writer must employ forceful language to critique the culture in which he lives. But, he lacked the talent.

He claimed that the Pride of Performance and Kamal-e-Fan honours given in Pakistan were equivalent to winning a Nobel Prize.

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