“Basant is Very Enjoyable But I’m Shaken By Islamabad Tragedy”: Naeema Butt

In a rare moment of courage and compassion amid nationwide celebrations, actress Naeema Butt attempted to address Pakistan’s recent tragedies during a live Basant discussion on Geo News, only to be abruptly silenced, sparking widespread public outrage and debate about media priorities.

During the discussion about the Basant festival, Naeema said: “It’s a great event, to be very honest, but I recently saw a video from Islamabad which really upset me. Just a day ago we were celebrating Basant, and now…” Before she could complete her sentence, host Huma Amir Shah abruptly cut her off, claiming “there has been an interruption in your audio, and we have a lot to discuss”.

Her reaction stood out against the prevailing celebratory tone adopted by much of the entertainment industry. While celebrities danced to Bhangra music in vibrant colors across Lahore’s rooftops, Naeema’s attempt to acknowledge the deadly Imambargah blast that killed 31 people just a day earlier was deemed inconvenient for live television.

The incident triggered massive social media backlash. One user wrote, “Shame on the news anchor. ‘We have a lot to talk about’, shame!” Another stated, “This is the true representation of our media. They only report what benefits them”.

Naeema Butt, on the other hand, is receiving huge public praise for showing empathy towards the victims. Her silenced words became louder than any Basant celebration, forcing Pakistanis to confront an uncomfortable question: Can a nation truly celebrate while its people grieve?

Naeema’s courage to speak truth to power, even when silenced, resonated far more powerfully than any kite in Lahore’s sky.