Atif Aslam recently had a run-in with the trolls for allegedly singing one of his Bollywood songs at a Pakistan Independence Day concert in New York.
The singer received a lot of flak and backlash on social media and reports emerged that a petition was filed against Atif for singing Bollywood songs at the event which “hurt the sentiments of Pakistanis.” It was also rumoured that he refused to hold the national flag causing even more uproar.
While there is no official confirmation of such a thing happening, Atif finally responded to the situation and shut down haters with an Instagram post in which he wrote, “#Nevergiveup. Simply love my haters,” continuing, “Undoubtedly, Allah is the only one who can make someone worthy of respect. The Pakistani flag is my identity and my fans know that I respect it a lot. I’m thankful that my fans know how to deal with propaganda against me.”
Atif added that he hoped ‘Naya Pakistan’ would help people realise that they need to respect others, especially those who work hard to make the country proud.
Atif also thanked those who supported him, specially naming Pakistani musician, Shafqat Amanat Ali who wrote on Twitter, “I stand in support with Atif for singing his songs at the parade. Music is not Indian or Pakistani. It’s just music. Singers are synonymous with their songs which are loved equally by fans from every country.”
I stand in support with @itsaadee for singing his songs at the parade. Music is not Indian or Pakistani. It is just music! Singers r synonymous with their songs which r loved equally by fans from every country. Should have briefed him if they wanted national songs #AtifAslam
— Shafqat Amanat Ali (@ShafqatAmanatA) August 7, 2018
It was reported that Atif sang one of his Indian tracks, Tera Hone Laga Hoon from the 2009 film Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani starring Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif at the concert.