"I will treat him as I do my own children."
Waseem Badami has been facing public backlash after sharing a video with child vlogger Shirazi a day before Ramadan.
In the video, he announced Shirazi’s participation in the Ramadan transmission of his show Shaan E Ramzan.
In the past, Waseem has been responsible for Ahmed Shah’s rise to stardom on the Ramadan transmission sets.
He has now introduced another young sensation to his show Shaan E Ramzan.
Shirazi, hailing from a remote village in northern Pakistan, has captured the hearts of the nation at a tender age.
Recently, he received a YouTube Silver Play button, further amplifying his presence and captivating the online community’s interest.
Shirazi is poised to become a fan favourite, following in Ahmed Shah’s footsteps to stardom.
But this move by Waseem Badami received criticism from the public and fellow celebrities.
Mishi Khan, a renowned host and actress, has expressed her discontent on Instagram regarding Shirazi’s inclusion in the Ramadan transmission.
She recorded a video message seeking clarification on the matter. She believes that such shows could rob children of their innocence.
Mishi labelled the exploitation of children in the name of ratings as deeply disappointing.
Now, Waseem Badami has responded to Mishi’s criticism.
He stated: “I have assured Shirazi’s parents that I will treat him as I do my own children.
“I will closely monitor him, considering these kids as part of our family.
“Being a father myself, I believe in Karma. I understand the immense responsibility involved, and ARY Digital, the institution itself, upholds strict standards in this regard.
“The institution has already cautioned parents about prioritising their children’s education, ensuring that their studies are not compromised.
“We are not killing their innocence.”
Regardless, Waseem Badami continues to face backlash.
One user wrote:
“They are destroying the innocent faces for broadcasting. They are using the kid’s fame for ratings.”
Another said: “Shirazi became famous on his own. He did not need anything more from the media to get famous. But now he will also end up like Ahmed.”
One asked: “Why don’t you use the platform to help the children who are poor and unfortunate? I’m sure that would be more helpful.”
Another stated: “They are monetising the hard work of this child.”
Waseem Badami is a host and journalist who has dedicated around fifteen years of his career to ARY.
He is renowned for his programmes such as 11th Hour, Har Lamha Purjosh, and Shaan E Ramzan.
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