A fresh controversy has taken over Pakistan’s entertainment industry after popular TV host Nadia Khan publicly confronted rapper Talha Anjum for waving the Indian flag during his concert in Nepal.
The incident, which she discussed on her morning show, led to an intense debate about nationalism, artistic freedom and public accountability.
Talha Anjum admitted that waving the Indian flag was a mistake and issued an apology — but social media remained sharply divided.
Nadia Khan invited Talha Anjum to her show and held him accountable for what she described as an act that “hurt the sentiments of the majority of the Pakistani nation". She also criticized the rapper for his past posts, including a tweet made during the Pahalgam incident, where he appeared sympathetic towards India.
Nadia questioned him firmly: “Have you forgotten the conflict when they imposed a war on us and were killing our soldiers? Why did you raise their flag? We are Pakistani before artists and musicians.”
Also Read: At last, Talha Anjum apologizes for waving Indian flag in Nepal
Talha Anjum responded that he is a “proud Pakistani artist”, adding that what he did “Indians can’t do,” claiming that Indian artists would receive death threats if they waved a foreign flag similarly.
Celebrities jump in to defend Talha, criticise Nadia
Several notable Pakistani celebrities, including Yasir Hussain, Sonya Hussyn, Musadek Malek, and Kinza Hashmi, came forward to support Talha Anjum and indirectly or directly criticize Nadia Khan.
Also Read: 'Will do it again': Talha Anjum defends waving Indian flag at concert
Yasir Hussain posted: “To all the Pakistani Arnab Goswamis, kasam Khuda ki yeh larka acha Pakistani hai… naam roshan kiya hai, isi liye toh international concert karta hai aur Indians bhi aatay hain.”
Musadek Malek calls Nadia Khan a “pissu”. His post read: “Tu legend hay! Aur yeh pissu! Jumma Mubarak to everyone except Nadia Khan. Also, can someone teach her how to talk!!”
Sonya Hussyn stated that no artist deserves to be treated this way on national television. Kinza Hashmi also posted support, although the exact content was not detailed.
Public reactions: Nation split
Social media users are deeply divided: Many praised Nadia Khan, saying Pakistani artists must prioritize national dignity and avoid gestures that appear pro-India. Some argued that Nadia’s tone may have been harsh, but her message regarding national self-respect holds weight.
Others defended Talha, insisting that artists often navigate global audiences, and the gestures at concerts are not always political.
The debate spread rapidly, with users pointing out that Indian celebrities openly express anti-Pakistan sentiments, while Pakistani artists often face backlash for comparatively minor acts.
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Last week, Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum waved the Indian flag during his concert in Nepal. His heartfelt gesture symbolized a message of friendship and unity and highlighted the importance of music and its power to bring the people of both countries close.
Also Read: Music knows no bounds: Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum waves Indian flag in Nepal concert
The moment was met with cheers from the crowd, reflecting the power of music to transcend borders and bring people together.
Standing beside him, his music partner Talha Younus also waved the Nepali flag, acknowledging their host country and engaging with fans in a heartfelt gesture.
Fans in attendance took to social media to share videos of the moment, praising the rappers for promoting peace and goodwill through their performance. Many appreciated how the gesture emphasized that music can be a unifying force, bridging political and cultural divides.
