Bushra Ansari dons shawl with Iqbal’s poetry

Veteran Pakistani actor Bushra Ansari recently turned heads on social media as she shared a picture of herself adorned in a shawl bearing writing from the renowned poet Allama Iqbal, ahead of her appearance on a Ramazan transmission for a news channel. 

In a clever quip, Ansari highlighted the significance of the poetic verses, humourously remarking in the IG post’s caption, “Allama Iqbal's poetry on my shawl. If you know how to read Urdu, you will understand.”

The witty remark from the actor comes in the wake of a harrowing incident that unfolded last month in Lahore's Ichra Bazaar. A young woman wore a kurta emblazoned with Arabic words, which some mistakenly interpreted as a Quranic verse, sparking a mob frenzy and allegations of blasphemy against her.The woman, terrified and cornered, refuted the accusations as captured in a video circulating on social media.

Prompt intervention by law enforcement, led by Gulberg Circle Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, prevented further escalation of the situation and ensured the woman's safety. 

Against this backdrop, Ansari's pointed remark serves as a caution against both pervasive violence and ignorance. While the gesture might seem daring to some, the Fifty Fifty actor is known for her lighthearted humour and blunt remarks.

Recently, the queen of comedy took to her vlog Delete With Love to deliver a damning verdict on phone etiquette: it’s three strikes and you’re out. "If someone doesn’t pick up my call after the third time, I block and delete them," she announced in unapologetic conviction.

That’s right. If Ansari’s loved ones have failed to answer her call three times in a row, she dusts her hands and without a hint of remorse, blocks and deletes their number from her phone.

Ansari stressed that these people aren’t banished from her life. Just from her phone. She conceded that the younger generation is plagued by endless distractions, and makes allowances for them, but cannot expect the older generation to be so waylaid. To her, that third missed call is unforgiveable. It is a signal that she is not wanted, and she does both parties a favour by kicking them out of her phone.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.