New Delhi:
Screenwriter Javed Akhtar has strongly criticised Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari for his feedback on Hindu minorities in Pakistan. The alternate started with a video from an occasion to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day that surfaced on social media.
Within the video, Zardari alleged his nation and its Muslim majority “tolerate” the Hindu inhabitants that makes up 3-4 per cent of the nation.
“The Indians have a special standpoint. They’ve their very own agenda in thoughts. They imagine in Akhand Bharat. However there’s a lot in between which they’ve forgotten,” Zardari mentioned within the extensively shared video.
“We’re Muslims. They aren’t. However we’re Muslims of the mindset that we tolerate 3-4 per cent Hindu inhabitants in Pakistan. They’re as free, pretty much as good as wherever else they had been. They might somewhat be with us than be with them,” the Pakistani chief mentioned.
Reacting to the speech, Akhtar in a publish on X took a swipe at Zardari over his repute as “Mr 10 per cent”, alluding to allegations in Pakistan that he was identified to take a reduce from authorities initiatives.
“Mr Zardari of Pakistan who had come into the limelight after Benazeer Bhutto had married says that they tolerate the 3-4 per cent Hindu inhabitants of their nation. I perceive Mr Zardari you’ve gotten all the time being insensitive to all beneath the solar which is lower than 10 per cent,” the veteran screenwriter mentioned.
Mr Zardari of Pakistan who had come into the limelight after Benazeer Bhutto had married says that they tolerate the 3-4 p.c Hindu inhabitants Lin their nation . I perceive Mr Zardari you’ve gotten all the time being insensitive to all beneath the solar which is lower than 10 % .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) August 15, 2026
Akhtar has usually spoken strongly in opposition to Pakistan’s insurance policies and its strategy to bilateral relations. In Could final 12 months, throughout a ebook launch occasion in Mumbai, Akhtar slammed Pakistan for sponsoring cross-border terrorism and letting terrorists use its territory as a secure haven.
“India has all the time made real efforts to higher the connection with Pakistan. We opened cultural channels with Pakistan and its artists. However you possibly can’t clap with one hand, Pakistan by no means made any stable efforts to make issues higher,” Akhtar mentioned, citing the instance of Jammu and Kashmir.
Zardari was sworn in because the 14th president of Pakistan in March 2024. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and Zardari’s Pakistan Folks’s Occasion (PPP) managed to kind a coalition authorities after an inconclusive normal election in February 2024, marred by delays and widespread allegations of vote-rigging.
