Bilal Maqsood says Anwar Maqsood won’t appear on Shehzad Shaikh’s podcast

Comedian and YouTuber Shehzad Ghias Sheikh recently accused veteran satirist and writer Anwar Maqsood of promoting racism against Sindhis. Singer Bilal Maqsood, Anwar's son, responded to Shehzad’s criticism, initially suggesting that his father was open to a respectful conversation, but later declined the idea.

The issue stemmed from Anwar Maqsood’s remarks during a recent interview with actor Gohar Rasheed, in which he shared an anecdote implying compromised merit in Sindh’s public sector.

He recounted a story about a "fake Sindhi doctor" who didn’t know the full form of MBBS, which many perceived as a derogatory stereotype.

Shehzad criticised Maqsood for painting Sindhis as illiterate, calling it a form of racism.

“Anwar Maqsood continues cracking unfunny racist jokes but nobody dares call him out because he is a 'legend',” Shehzad wrote in a post on X.

“All Anwar Maqsood's work has done is further state narratives about Punjabis, Pashtuns, Baloch and Sindhi people being jahil, unpadh, paindoo, corrupt and anti-Pakistan,” he added.

In response, Bilal Maqsood replied to Shehzad’s post, stating that although he had often called out his father, Shehzad had never made a respectful effort to invite Anwar Maqsood for a conversation to explain his views.

To that, Shehzad responded that he had already publicly invited Anwar Maqsood, but had received no reply.

Bilal countered, “Saying you’re inviting him publicly isn’t really the right way to go about it. If you genuinely want to have a conversation, reach out properly and respectfully, you’ll have to call him. I’m sure he won’t say no. DM me on Instagram and I’ll share his number.”

Shehzad then said that he intended to send a formal invitation but was unable to do so as he didn’t have Anwar Maqsood’s contact information.

Following this exchange, Bilal shared that his father, along with close family and friends, had advised against appearing on Shehzad’s show, expressing concern that it might not be a 'respectful or constructive space' for such a dialogue.

“Many have strongly advised against it, not because of differing opinions, but because they feel it might not be a respectful or constructive space for him. So with a heavy heart, I’ve decided not to go ahead with the on-camera conversation. Sorry about this,” Bilal concluded.