"If given a second chance at life, I wouldn't want to live in Pakistan,” says Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar

Controversial writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar expressed disappointment over the criticism he faced after his obscene videos were leaked on social media and lamented the poor treatment of national heroes like him in Pakistan.

In a recent interview, the playwright compared himself to Punjabi mystic and poet Bulleh Shah and renowned playwright Saadat Hasan Manto, claiming that the nation would not find another like him.

The dramatist said he previously had a few friends in the industry but lost them all after the recent incident of honey-trap.

Responding to a question about how his family coped with the controversy, Khalil said, he was worried when the first video was leaked on social media.

However, when the second video was leaked, showing the suspects planning the incident, his family became convinced that it might be a trap.

The screenwriter further said that the abductors held him hostage for seven hours, forcing him to recite the Kalma several times, and then shot at him. A bullet landed near his feet but missed him. 

"Perhaps the shooter intentionally missed the target," he said.

While Khalil wanted to forgive the woman who trapped him, he later retracted his decision in the interest of "general public welfare."

"If given a second chance at life, I wouldn't want to live in a place where people behave this way," he said, adding that people disrespect their heroes based on false rumours.

"My only toxic trait, which ironically is also a strength, is my blind trust in others but once betrayed, I never fall for the same trick again," he maintained.

Khalil explained that he is heartbroken over the recent controversy, which is "the worst trauma of his life and will stay with him for a long time."