Pakistani actor and television host Shahzad Nawaz has sparked debate on social media after suggesting that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's picture should be removed from Pakistan's currency notes.
The remarks were made during a recent podcast, where the two discussed politics, national symbols, and corruption in society.
Discussion began with national symbols
During the conversation, the host spoke about how political changes often influence public spaces and national imagery.
He cited examples of portraits and symbols being replaced over time, arguing that it is concerning when the images of a country's founding figures are easily removed or replaced according to changing political circumstances.
Responding to the discussion, Shahzad Nawaz said that if the decision were up to him, he would remove Quaid-e-Azam's image from all currency notes.
He explained that his comments were linked to widespread corruption, bribery, and dishonest practices in society.
According to Nawaz, it is troubling that people continue to engage in such activities while using currency bearing the image of Pakistan's founder.
Remarks on currency note slogans
The actor also referred to changes made to slogans printed on currency notes over the years.
He mentioned that during the era of former president General Zia-ul-Haq, the phrase "Earning halal is like worship" was prominently displayed on Pakistani currency.
According to Nawaz, the size and visibility of the slogan were later reduced during the tenure of former president Pervez Musharraf.
He suggested that such messages should either be given greater importance or removed altogether.
Social media reactions
The podcast clip has been widely shared on social media, generating mixed reactions from viewers.
While some users viewed Nawaz's comments as a symbolic criticism of corruption in society, others disagreed with the idea of removing Quaid-e-Azam's image from national currency.
The discussion has since become a talking point across various online platforms.
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