| Tasneem Qureshi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Status: | Active |
| Nationality: |  Pakistani
|
| Affiliation: | Inter-Services Intelligence |
| Profession: | Director-General of the ISI |
| Father: | Bunran Latif (stepfather) |
| Marital status: | Single |
| Played by: | Nimrat Kaur |
| Season(s): | 4, 8 |
| First episode: | "Iron in the Fire" |
| Last episode: | 'Prisoners of War" |
Tasneem Qureshi is an agent with the Pakistani Intelligence Service (ISI) who works closely with the Taliban and uses leverage against Dennis Boyd, the husband of the US Ambassador to Islamabad, to get inside information and understand the Americans' work in Islamabad manipulate Pakistan
Years later, she becomes Saul's ally amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan, hoping to avoid a war. She attempts to talk Haqqani's son Jalal out of waging war on the West, but reverses course after witnessing the dramatic increase in the Taliban's ranks under Jalal's leadership.
Biography[]
Positioned as Carrie's ISI counterpart and nemesis. She is presented as a villain, but showrunner Gansa explained that though Tasneem is ruthless, she has understandable motives and is only serving her country.
Season four[]
Tasneem Qureshi is an agent of the Pakistani intelligence service ISI, but acts primarily for the Taliban, to whom she is unconditionally loyal. She approaches the American ambassador's husband, Dennis Boyd, and makes it clear that she knows that he has repeatedly fed the CIA's station chief, Sandy Bachman, with information from the embassy. She finally pulls him aside and hands him a key, but makes it clear to him that he can't leave Pakistan until he's done what she wants him to do.
When Tasneem learns from Aasar Khan that Saul Berenson is about to leave Pakistan after talking to Carrie Mathison, she, at Haqqani's behest, orders Saul to be kidnapped at the airport and taken to Haqqani.
She eventually meets up with Boyd again and demands that he switch Carrie Mathison's medications. He finally lets her know that Carrie has recruited Aayan Ibrahim in the meantime and also tells her that the building opposite the embassy is used as a CIA hideout. Tasneem then immediately reports to Haqqani.
Eventually delegates from Pakistan and America arrive at a meeting place where Haqqani wants to approach them and make his demands. Tasneem is also present at the gathering. She is upset that her plan to get Carrie out of Pakistan didn't work out as Khan intervened after swapping the pills and saved her from worse. Finally, they learn via video message from Haqqani that he is demanding the release of prisoners held responsible for several attacks, also in Pakistan. The Pakistani delegation seems much more relaxed than the Americans, which Carrie later notices.
Tasneem, meanwhile, gives Boyd another assignment before meeting up with the CIA and the Ambassador again to discuss more details about the prisoner swap. When the handover finally comes, Tasneem is surprised that she put a little boy at Saul's side. She immediately gets in touch with Haqqani and then explains to Carrie that the boy is there for security so that nobody shoots his men. Tasneem then advises her to let the prisoners go, even though she has no assurances that Haqqani won't detonate the bomb anyway.
Meanwhile, Dennis Boyd was exposed as a mole and recalls that a few days ago Tasneem wanted a detailed plan on when the entire Navy could be deployed. Tasneem was able to find the perfect window for Haqqani to attack the embassy. She is in the attack in a car with Aasar Khan, who receives a call from Carrie during the attack on the embassy, whose convoy was attacked on the way there. Tasneem stops Aasar from picking up the phone, indicating that she is on Haqqani's side. She asks him for ten minutes, then he can report the attack on the embassy and send help through the Pakistani police.
Haqqani's attack succeeds. Although he is shot, he escapes with a list of all the spies in the Middle East and retreats to a house. Peter Quinn then does everything he can to find him and also publishes a video showing Haqqani shooting his own nephew. This is followed by a demonstration against Haqqani. Tasneem immediately organizes a counter-demonstration so that Haqqani can be taken to another location without being disturbed.
Back in the US, Saul finally sees an interview with Tasneem in which she talks about the fact that diplomatic relations between the Americans and Pakistan have been put on hold following the current events in the country.
Season eight[]
Years later, Tasneem Qureshi is part of the Pakistani delegation set to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar. Saul Berenson suspects that she or someone in her delegation leaked information about the negotiations to the Afghan government in order to scrap the deal, but she denies it. After the events in the Islamabad embassy, however, Saul does not believe a word she says. A short time later, however, he apologizes to her and tries to get her and her country back on his side in order to create peace in the region. She reminds him, however, that American methods have never been long-term and that current efforts are only intended to allow them to withdraw from the region without having established lasting stability.
A few days later, Tasneem witnessed the release of some Guantanamo prisoners who are supposed to move the peace negotiations forward again. However, she finds it suspicious that one of the prisoners requires direct medical attention and that Saul Berenson is not present when the prisoners land in Doha, having instead sent Scott Ryan to represent them. She then travels back to Pakistan, where she visits her father, who is a senior government official and an old friend of Saul's. She tells him what happened in Doha and believes that Saul is now using Haqqani's cousin - one of the prisoners - to contact the Taliban leader and negotiate peace. While Tasneem's father wants Pakistan to control the peace, she declares that there must be no breakthrough and asks him how far she can go. This gives her a free hand not to cede even more power to America. She then arranges for the Pakistani secret service to attack a car convoy that Haissam Haqqani is suspected to be in, in order to prevent his negotiations with Saul.
In "False Friends", Tasneem assures her informant, Haqqani's son Jalal (Elham Ehsas), that he will succeed his father as leader of Taliban, but both are shocked to learn that Haqqani was not killed in the strike. Jalal is summoned to Peshawar by Haqqani, who deceives his son into incriminating himself by calling Tasneem when he is told his father suspects him. Haqqani spares Jalal's life but casts him out, after which he is rescued by Tasneem. In "Chalk One Up", Tasneem and G'ulom are less than thrilled that the Americans have brokered a deal with the Taliban without them. Tasneem attempts to leave the announcement ceremony at the Presidential Palace but is stopped by Saul, who makes it clear he knows she orchestrated the attack on Haqqani. US President Ralph Warner (Beau Bridges) comes to Afghanistan in person to announce the pending peace treaty with the Taliban, but the helicopter carrying him and Afghan President Daoud (Christopher Maleki) goes down in Taliban-controlled territory. When the presidents' arrival in Kabul is delayed in "Chalk Two Down", Tasneem tells G'ulom she has heard rumors of "helicopters down". They are soon shocked to learn that both presidents are confirmed dead. G'ulom warns Tasneem that the Afghan-Pakistani alliance will break down within hours, and he will no longer be able to guarantee her safety.
Saul visits Bunran at home in Pakistan in "Fucker Shot Me", and is surprised to find Tasneem there as well. She expresses doubt that Saul has recordings of Haqqani espousing peace, but Saul gets her to concede that she knows he has them. Saul wants their aid in somehow delaying Haqqani's trial, as his execution will unleash violence in the area. Bunran lashes out, telling Saul that he and the US are only friendly to Pakistan wheh they need something. Saul accepts the criticism, but reminds them that though US interests would be impacted by a reignited war in Afghanistan, nearby Pakistan would be directly affected. Saul is about to leave empty-handed when Tasneem agrees to help him, saying "I don't want to watch the world burn". They visit the presiding judge in Haqqani's trial to make their case, and Tasneem admits to attempting to assassinate Haqqani because he was pursuing peace. The judge agrees to order a continuance, but she is replaced by another, who immediately orders Haqqani's death.
Now believing that Jalal shot down Warner's helicopter, new US President Benjamin Hayes (Sam Trammell) threatens an invasion of Pakistan unless they hand him over in "In Full Flight". Tasneem, furious with Haqqani's second-in-command Balach (Seear Kohi) for allowing Jalal to assume control of the Taliban, meets with Jalal at his base in the mountains. She commands him to fall in line with her instructions and go to ground, or she will hunt him down and replace him. Jalal refuses and proclaims his independence from Tasneem and the ISI, and she is shocked to see that he commands a huge army. Tasneem visits Bunran, who wants to have Jalal assassinated, but Tasneem insists that the only way to protect Pakistani interests is to keep Jalal alive.
Hoping to resolve the standoff between the US and Pakistan in "The English Teacher", Saul has a backchannel conversation with Tasneem, who is furious about US statements connecting Pakistan to a recent terrorist bombing arranged by Jalal. Saul is equally alarmed and, assuring her they both want the same thing, intimates that all he needs from her are plausible coordinates where Jalal might be found. They both understand that if they give President Hayes a target, he will act on it. Pakistani intelligence soon provides the US with just that, off the record, and the site is promptly destroyed by a US missile. Tasneem demands a United Nations Security Council vote to censure the US for violating Pakistani sovereignty with this action. In the series finale "Prisoners of War", Tasneem makes a public statement in answer to an ultimatum President Hayes has given the Pakistani prime minister. She says that the US "left us no choice but to arm our tactical nuclear weapons", and that "our response to war will be swift and terrible."
Character profile[]
When it comes to complex and intriguing characters, Tasneem Qureishi from the hit TV series Homeland certainly stands out. As a high-ranking agent in Pakistan's intelligence service, she embodies the essence of a master manipulator, constantly working behind the scenes to advance Pakistan's interests.
Tasneem's character is captivating not only for her strategic and intelligent approach, but also for the moral and ethical implications that arise from her actions.One of the key aspects that makes Tasneem such a fascinating character is her ability to navigate the intricate web of power dynamics within the intelligence community. In her role as a high-ranking agent, she is well-versed in the art of manipulation and persuasion, utilizing her skills to orchestrate events in a way that serves her country's agenda. This portrayal taps into our curiosity about the shadowy world of intelligence agencies, giving viewers a glimpse into the complex dance that takes place at the intersection of politics, power, and espionage.Tasneem's character arc also explores the moral complexities of her actions. While her ultimate goal may be to serve Pakistan's interests, the means by which she achieves it often blur the lines of ethics. This moral ambiguity adds depth to her character, as it forces both the viewers and the other characters in the show to question the true nature of her motives.
Is she a cold-hearted villain and/or a patriot doing what she believes is necessary for her country's survival? This internal conflict within Tasneem serves to constantly challenge our perceptions and keeps us engaged with her character.In a theoretical sense, Tasneem's character can be seen through the lens of power dynamics and manipulation. Drawing from concepts such as Foucault's theory of power and Gramsci's notion of cultural hegemony, Tasneem exemplifies the idea of power wielded by those in positions of authority. As she skillfully manipulates events, she embodies the agency of power that surveillance states and intelligence communities often possess.
Moreover, Tasneem's character can also be viewed from a feminist perspective. In a male-dominated field, she stands out as a powerful and intelligent woman who uses her skills and intellect to climb the ranks of her profession. Her character challenges traditional gender roles and expectations, presenting a strong and complex female character that commands attention and respect.
In conclusion, Tasneem Qureishi from Homeland is a captivating character who exemplifies the complexities of power dynamics, moral ambiguity, and gender roles within the intelligence community. She is a master manipulator, constantly orchestrating events behind the scenes to further Pakistan's interests. Tasneem's character presents an intriguing blend of strategic intelligence, moral ambiguity, and feminist empowerment, making her a standout figure in the world of television. Whether we agree with her actions or not, there is no denying the impact and intrigue Tasneem Qureishi brings to the screen. [x]
Trivia[]
- Qureshi is an ISI agent and is described as Carrie Mathison's counterpart although her official title has never been mentioned.
- Her character is based off of the former foreign minister of Pakistan - Hina Rabbani Khar.
- The father of this actress was abducted and killed by Pakistan-funded terrorists (Nimrat Kaur: My father was killed by the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen for not conceding to their demands in Kashmir).
Interesting interview[]
Interesting interview, and I especially loved this part: Tasneem Qureshi is a villain, you’ve come a long way from playing the good soldier in Airlift and Test Case. What was the transition like? - By Tanzim Pardiwalla March 3, 2020
Characters aren’t negative or positive, they are just human beings who are going about life as they know best so I never look at a character as a negative or positive. Everybody has negatives and positives in them and the position people are put in, how they react is negative or positive. So I never looked at Tasneem as a negative character, to begin with. For me she was a woman who is tough as nails and has made a spot for herself in a male-dominated environment and that in itself is such an incredible feat considering the world she comes from. I admired her deeply as a character and I went about playing it with pride.
I’m totally stealing “Characters aren’t negative or positive.”
Behind the Scenes[]
Appearances[]
| Season 4 | ||||
| "The Drone Queen" | "Trylon and Perisphere" | "Shalwar Kameez" | Iron in the Fire | About a Boy |
| From A to B and Back Again | Redux | Halfway to a Donut | There's Something Else Going On | 13 Hours in Islamabad |
| Krieg Nicht Lieb | Long Time Coming | |||
| Season 8 | ||||
| Deception Indicated | Catch and Release | False Friends | Chalk One Up | Chalk Two Down |
| "Two Minutes" | F**ker Shot Me | "Threnody(s)" | In Full Flight | Designated Driver |
| The English Teacher | "Prisoners of War" | |||