Pakistani singer Ali Zafar came into the crosshairs on social media after he shared a picture wearing the shirt with an image of a lion on it- a political insignia of PMLN.
The singer was seen wearing a hood shirt with the political symbol of a lion and the slogan “Sher Aya, Sher Aya”- a catchphrase of the ruling political party, PMLN.
Zafar received immense backlash on Twitter which prompted him to post an explanation on Monday morning. The singer said that he wore the hood shirt during the rehearsals of his concert in Canada.
“Yaar so many messages as I turn on my phone in Vancouver inquiring about if I have joined any party,” said Ali Zafar as he posted his pictures of wearing the shirt.
Yaar so many messages as I turn on my phone in Vancouver inquiring about if I have joined any party 😂
Firstly, I was wearing a red jacket in the concert in Toronto last night. The much talked about image is in the hoodie I wore at the sound check before the concert from a brand… pic.twitter.com/op4Ns3Zxtf
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) April 30, 2023
The singer said that someone had gifted him this shirt that has the symbols of all the leading political parties of Pakistan. “Firstly, I was wearing a red jacket at the concert in Toronto last night. The much talked about image is in the hoodie I wore at the sound check before the concert from a brand named “Raasta” which uses local symbols and desi catchphrases for aesthetic purposes. The same hoodie had a balla and a teer also. Just wore it casually as he’d sent a gift. Next time banyaan bhee soch ker pehnoon ga,” said Ali Zafar.
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ہر چیز کو بغیر تحقیق کیے سیاسی رنگ دینا اور متنازعہ بنانا مناسب نہیں۔ غلط headline کے ساتھ شائع کی گئی تصویر کی اصل حقیقت۔ pic.twitter.com/hYTQu7IgmZ
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) May 1, 2023
He also posted a video message in which he showed his hoodie and urged people not to associate him with any political party since he has not joined politics; he is an artist. Zafar also asked people not to twist facts and spread misleading information.
The pictures were taken ahead of his concert in Toronto. He urged people not to sensationalize everything. Ali Zafar is receiving support on social media following a harsh backlash.