In a world where silence can be taken as complicity and words can spark wildfires, celebrities walk a tightrope—especially when tensions run high between nations. Pakistani actress Mahira Khan has landed in hot water after she deleted a post in which she expressed her condolences for the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir.
This wasn’t just any attack. It was one of the deadliest terrorist strikes in the Kashmir region in recent times. Pahalgam, known for its serene beauty and calming valleys, was shaken to its core when terror hit the peaceful Baisaran valley. The tragedy left several dead and many more injured, prompting outrage and grief across India and beyond.
Artists from both sides of the border—including Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and Hania Aamir—used their platforms to condemn the violence. Mahira Khan, too, shared her thoughts through an Instagram story. Her post read:
“Violence anywhere in the world, in any form, is an act of mere cowardice. My condolences to all those affected by the Pahalgam attack.”
It was a simple, humane message—something you’d expect from someone with a heart. But what followed took everyone by surprise. Mahira quietly took the post down the next morning.
And that’s when the storm began.
Screenshots of the now-deleted story started circulating, and reactions poured in from both Indian and Pakistani users. Indians, in particular, were furious—not just because she deleted the post, but because many feel Mahira owes part of her fame to India, especially after her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees. To them, removing a post condemning an act of terrorism feels like betrayal.
On the other hand, the majority of Pakistanis were outraged over the fact that Mahira expressed condolences for the victims of the Pahalgam attack when Indian government officials openly accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack.
On the Pakistani side, opinions were divided. While some supported her initial statement, others questioned her decision to speak at all, given the complex political sensitivities around Kashmir.
So, why did Mahira delete the post?
That’s the million-dollar question. Was it public pressure? Was she trying to avoid backlash from the political elite in Pakistan or trolls on social media? Or was it simply regret over entering a conversation too complicated for a public figure in her position?
Regardless of the reason, the damage is done. In times of crisis, people look to celebrities not just for entertainment, but for empathy, for courage, and for moral clarity. Mahira’s deletion of the post, whether intentional or out of fear, sent the wrong signal at the wrong time.