Pakistani politician to play Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani in a film: Reports

Pakistani politician and controversial televangelist Aamir Liaquat Hussain will play slain Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an upcoming film, according to reports in the Pakistani media. Hussain, who hosts a religious programme and is a Pakistan Tehkeek-e-Insaaf legislator, said in the television show Naya Din on Samaa TV, “The film is on Burhan Wani. I am playing the role of Burhan Wani. I don’t consider myself a hero, but Burhan Wani was definitely a hero for the Kashmiri people.”

Burhan Wani joined the Kashmiri militant group Hizbul Mujahideen in 2010, rose to be its divisional commander, and soon became a local legend. He was killed at the age of 21 in 2016 by security forces. Wani’s death sparked violent protests and retaliations and is seen as a defining moment in the history of the Kashmiri insurgency.