LAHORE: Pakistani media and celebrities are facing intense public criticism for celebrating the Basant festival while the country continues to reel from unrest and deadly incidents. Despite recent tragedies and significant loss of life, several celebrities were seen dancing to Bhangra music in bright attire, while television channels aired special Basant-focused coverage, drawing accusations of insensitivity.
Amid this backlash, actor Naeema Butt drew attention for expressing grief over the Islamabad tragedy during a live appearance on Geo News, after which she was abruptly taken off-air. Her reaction stood out against the prevailing celebratory tone adopted by much of the entertainment industry.
While responding to a question about her feelings on Basant, Naeema acknowledged the cultural significance of the festival but said a recent video from Islamabad had deeply disturbed her. As she began to contrast the celebrations with the tragedy, anchor Huma Amir Shah interrupted and redirected the conversation, citing an audio issue and insisting the show move forward, leaving Naeema unable to complete her thought.
The incident quickly sparked outrage online. Viewers accused the anchor and the channel of deliberately silencing a sensitive and necessary conversation. Many criticised what they described as selective reporting, while others questioned the media’s priorities and ethics. Several users expressed long-standing frustration with mainstream news channels, saying the episode confirmed their loss of trust.
In contrast, Naeema Butt received widespread praise for showing empathy and attempting to highlight the suffering behind the headlines. Public figures also weighed in, including host and actor Mishi Khan, who openly criticised the handling of the segment and remarked that the problem was not technical, but ideological.
The moment has reignited debate about the role of Pakistani media during times of national tragedy, with growing calls for accountability, compassion, and responsible coverage.
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