In a widely shared video on social media, renowned Pakistani actor Hina Bayat has brought public attention to a troubling issue at the heart of one of Pakistan’s most important travel hubs—Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. Speaking from the premises of the airport on Youm-e-Takbir, a national day commemorating Pakistan’s nuclear tests conducted on May 28 and 30 in 1998, Bayat expressed her disappointment over the complete lack of water in the airport's washrooms.
"Today is Youm-e-Takbir. I am standing here at Karachi International Airport, and on a day when we should be celebrating Pakistan’s achievements, I see that there is no water in any of the washrooms here. People want to perform prayers, parents are taking their children to the restroom — but there is no water," Bayat said in the video.
While emphasising that the day should be about celebrating national milestones, Bayat used the occasion to point out what she described as an "alarming situation" unfolding at Pakistan’s busiest airport, located in its largest city. She urged citizens and authorities alike to reflect on the state of the country’s essential infrastructure.
"Why have our airports, our institutions, and our systems deteriorated so much? And no one is willing to admit these are mistakes which need to be fixed. So many new projects are being launched, new trains are being discussed — but the old systems, like availability of water in the washrooms of an international airport, are being ignored. It’s truly unfortunate," she added.
Her remarks struck a chord with many online viewers, sparking conversations not just within Pakistan, but also across the border in India. The video gained significant traction on Indian social media platforms, especially against the backdrop of rising diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.
Recently, India announced that it had put the Indus Waters Treaty—an important water-sharing agreement between the two countries—in abeyance. This decision is part of a broader set of diplomatic and military responses following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. In that incident, 26 people—including 25 tourists and one local resident—were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists, drawing widespread condemnation and prompting India to take stern retaliatory measures.
Bayat’s video, though focused on a basic civic issue, has taken on a larger significance as it highlights both the daily challenges faced by ordinary Pakistanis and the broader regional tensions playing out around infrastructure, governance, and security.
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