The Indian film 'Kabul Express' has kicked up a row in Islamabad with members of the Hazara community that live on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghan border calling for the boycott of the movie for using "derogatory language" against them.
The Hazara community in Balochistan is offended by the "derogatory language" used in the film and demand its immediate ban, Ibrahim Hazara, secretary general of Pakistan's Hazara Democratic Party (HDP), was quoted by the Daily Times as saying on Monday.
"We want the movie director to apologise to the Hazaras of the world and urge the government of Pakistan to ban the movie and prevent it from being marketed in the country," Ibrahim said.
The movie not only makes an effort to defame the Hazara community but also creates a negative image of Pakistan and Afghanistan, he added.
The members of the Hazara community, with an estimated population of around two lakh, are Shia muslims living mostly in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
Ibrahim led a protest rally in front of the Quetta Press Club that was supported by the Hazara Students Federation (HSF).
{{/usCountry}}Ibrahim led a protest rally in front of the Quetta Press Club that was supported by the Hazara Students Federation (HSF).
{{/usCountry}}Quetta is home to a large number of Hazaras who fled from the Afghan semi-autonomous province of Hazarajat in the late 19th century due to the excesses of the then Afghan King Abdur Rahman.