Pakistani celebrities call for peace and justice amid unrest in AJK

Pakistani actor Nadia Afgan has spoken out against animal cruelty, arguing that violence toward stray animals reflects a much broader problem of weak accountability and the normalisation of abuse in society. During a recent interview, the actor discussed Punjab’s ongoing efforts to control the stray dog population. She questioned whether killing animals can provide a lasting solution and raised concerns about the enforcement of laws concerning animal welfare. Nadia said the country already has legislation covering a range of issues but argued that the bigger problem is the failure to properly implement those laws. She questioned how citizens can be expected to respect regulations when government institutions themselves are perceived as failing to enforce them consistently. For Nadia, the issue goes beyond stray dogs. She linked animal cruelty with violence against other vulnerable groups, including women, children and workers. She argued that abuse often becomes normalised when victims have little power to defend themselves. In her view, the same lack of accountability allows different forms of violence to continue across society. The actor also spoke about the emotional impact of repeatedly witnessing disturbing incidents. She said that people who attempt to raise awareness online can often feel powerless when serious social issues receive less attention than entertainment and celebrity-related content. Nadia revealed that the constant exposure to such incidents has affected her emotionally and, at times, prompted her to distance herself from social media. She also defended animal rescuers and volunteers against accusations that they misuse public donations. According to her, many rescue groups operate with extremely limited resources and depend heavily on individuals who contribute their own money, time and belongings. She said young volunteers sometimes sell personal items to help animals and provide emergency care. Nadia believes the public often notices animal rescue efforts only after particularly disturbing cases become viral online. Once the attention fades, however, volunteers are frequently left to continue the work without sustained institutional support. The actor further stressed the importance of teaching children empathy toward animals. She argued that repeatedly presenting animals as dangerous or treating cruelty as acceptable can influence how children understand violence and vulnerability. Instead, she favoured introducing children to animals in a safe and compassionate environment. She said empathy is more effectively developed through personal examples and positive experiences than through fear. Nadia ultimately presented the debate over stray dogs as part of a wider discussion about social responsibility. She maintained that protecting vulnerable beings, enforcing existing laws and holding people accountable are essential steps toward reducing violence

Several Bollywood celebrities have praised India’s young protesters after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid weeks of youth-led demonstrations. The resignation came after thousands of students protested over alleged irregularities in examinations. The protesters demanded major changes to the education system. They also called for greater accountability from officials. The movement was driven largely by young people and gained significant attention on social media. Demonstrations were held in New Delhi and other parts of India. Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. His decision was welcomed by protesters, who described it as a major victory for their campaign. The development also triggered a wave of reactions from Bollywood and other entertainment personalities. Actor Alia Bhatt praised Generation Z for making its voice heard. She said the younger generation had stepped forward and changed the course of events. Sara Ali Khan also reacted to the development. She shared a post highlighting the importance of democracy. Her message was accompanied by heart, folded-hands and Indian flag emojis. Ibrahim Ali Khan, the son of actor Saif Ali Khan, also celebrated the resignation. He said he was happy that the voices of young people had been heard. Sonakshi Sinha shared a video on social media in which she appeared to salute Generation Z. Her post expressed appreciation for the students who had continued their campaign. Veteran actor Prakash Raj also congratulated the young protesters. He used the phrase “Dear Cockroaches” while praising those who participated in the movement. He said the protesters had demonstrated their ability to put pressure on those in power. Priyanka Chopra also shared posts about the resignation. Her posts highlighted the length of the student campaign and the role of young protesters in pushing the issue into the national spotlight. Other celebrities, including Vaani Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Ayesha Kanga, Anjali Sivaraman and Tina Datta, also expressed support for the students. Vaani Kapoor said the moment belonged to students who had continued questioning the system and demanding change. Malaika Arora shared posts celebrating Generation Z and the date of the resignation. Tina Datta described the development as a major victory. The protests were organised around several demands. Students wanted Pradhan to leave office. They also demanded compensation for people affected by alleged examination irregularities. Another major demand was the withdrawal of legal cases against protesters. The youth-led movement also received support from activist Sonam Wangchuk. His hunger strike became another important part of the campaign and drew further attention to the protesters’ demands. The Cockroach Janta Party, which was associated with the movement, later announced that its demands had been accepted following negotiations. Protesters subsequently moved towards ending demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Pradhan confirmed his resignation in a statement. He said he was deeply affected by the events surrounding the protests. He also stressed that his decision was not about personal prestige. He said India’s young population was an important strength for the country. The resignation also prompted reactions from opposition leaders. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described it as a major development. Gandhi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respect students and address their concerns. He also demanded action against those accused of violence against protesters. The protests have highlighted growing concerns among young Indians over examination procedures, transparency and accountability. The strong response from celebrities has also brought wider public attention to the movement. Their social media posts helped amplify the protesters’ message among millions of followers. For the protesters, Pradhan’s resignation represents a significant achievement. For the government, the development adds pressure to address concerns surrounding examinations and the wider education system.