In an interview given to a legal online portal in Pakistan, Pakistani pop star Ali Azmat shared some shocking, sexist views on women, society and Pakistani culture. The session was moderated by Lawyer Ahmed Pansota.
Azmat upset many people by making demeaning remarks on Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan’ s appearance. He recalled an account from the eyes of his much younger self who would get irritated turning on the TV and watching this “mai” (elderly woman) with her “full saari, huge earrings and face overdone with makeup” show up looking like a “kofta” (meatball).
Not just that, his absurd outbursts accepted the presence of the MTV culture, a welcoming change which he demonstrated with a hugging motion – seem ‘reasonable‘. The Junoon singer claimed that his own culture was not providing anything other than this “mai”, so making the other culture a norm became inevitable.
Fans on Twitter expressed their disappointment with Noor Jehan receiving disrespect instead of recognition for her work.
People are awarded posthumous awards, but aliazmat has slurs to offer. https://t.co/N64zQVFUJo
— Faraz Saeed (@farazsaeed15) October 20, 2021
Utterly embarrassing!! https://t.co/S5PHohNGyP
— Khawar Azhar (@Khawar69) October 20, 2021
نورجہاں کے اوور میک اپ کرکے گانے سے ہمیں چڑ ہوتی تھی: علی عظمت https://t.co/tITzt0j1ww
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) October 20, 2021
Is it time to cancel Ali Azmat?
— Banki Naar (@NotSoBankiNar) October 20, 2021
If this guy understood generation gaps he’d realise he is to us what Noor Jahan was to him in his ‘jawani’. Minus the enduring musical legacy. https://t.co/h4qsuMfFqC
— OhChiefestAndGreatestOfCalamities (@mustyoumustard) October 20, 2021
Being a Junoon fan, i am embarrassed… pic.twitter.com/qt36TzE7Ye
— فاطمہ عرفان (@fatimairrfan) October 19, 2021
Actually I really appreciate how these bands /singer bought English music into limelight here in Pakistan but insulting Madam noir jehan is not allowed!!
— javeria (@jikhlaq52) October 20, 2021
@RealAliAzmat, what a shame! The least you could have learnt from your years of stardom in #Pakistan was how to respect your legendary predecessors! Embarassed and ashamed to the core! Making fun of #MadamNoorJahan is not cool! #Junoon #AliAzmat #NoorJahan https://t.co/boMq59ByTG
— Fatima Ali Khan (@fatimakhan) October 20, 2021
Just today, a survey revealed that almost 80 percent of women don’t feel safe in Pakistan. Are you surprised?
