While the premise of a new Pakistan is being tested thoroughly, a recently aired ad that portrays Pashtuns as enemies of the state did not sit well with numerous Pakistanis. To top it all off, it was paid content by the Punjab Government.
Pakistanis were furious and took to social media to protest against the ad that they said portrayed negative sentiments against the Pashtun community
PTI’s new government is paying for advertisements showing pictures of elected MNAs from North and South Waziristan and a leader of the largest non violent movement in Pakistan as enemies, terrorists and anti state. They can’t go more shallow thn this against #Pashtuns #PTM #Shame pic.twitter.com/2FZA7UnWLD
— meena gabeena (@gabeeno) September 15, 2018
Shocked to see this ad from Punjab govt. Is a Pashtun in Punjab to be considered a terrorist even if he is a victim of terrorism & preaching non violence? This is racial profiling. PTI should resist being used like this. If its a compulsion, then come up with something plausible. pic.twitter.com/JpFQVTr2yK
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) September 15, 2018
Most people were not impressed with Punjab Government.
Its an indirect attack over all Pashtoon and we strongly condemn it
It is requested to the PM @ImranKhanPTI to take serious notice of this Adver and stop profiling of Pashtoon— kochai lewanai (@KLewanai) September 15, 2018
So Disappointing
— zara_rm (@zara_rm) September 15, 2018
They considered it to be a shameful act.
shamefull act of Punjab Government … https://t.co/DpjcFp38rU
— Shah Fahad (@Married_shuda) September 15, 2018
It was also deemed hurtful.
Hurt an entire community and offensively portray a mass movement as terrorist but feel no need to apologize for it!
It is the state that works as a machine of exclusion and stigmatization in Pakistan.
Minister, could you please tell how and who made and run that ad? https://t.co/ZJDW066Wru— Khan Zaman Kakar (@khanzamankakar) September 15, 2018
Pakistanis were outraged and consider this to be racial profiling against certain groups of people in Pakistan.
It's highly condemnable not only for Pashtun racial profiling but also I protest & condemn how they've used Manzoor Pashteen's speech clip demanding basic rights & say MULK DISHMAN PROPAGANDA. It is not. I'm Punjabi but I hate this ludicrous ad & mindset #StopPashtunprofiling
— Janet Wherrich جنت وڑائچ (@JanetWherrich) September 15, 2018
Racial profiling is condemnable the most.
It is a part of propaganda campaign directed against civil rights movement of Pushtoons.
It testifies the unwillingness of the state to pacify the genuine demands of #PTM and its reluctance to address the Pashtoon Question.
— sohail khan (@sohailkk1193) September 15, 2018
Many spoke out for their Pashtun brothers and sisters.
Dear Mohsin I am from Punjab and you can verify from my tweets how much I wrote and support Pukhtoons.Please don't quote Punjab Government.Its actually PTI and Federal government of PTI who are responsible for this filthy biased approach. Pukhtoons are most loyal and suffered .
— Dr Salma Siddique (@ThinkTank1PmlN) September 15, 2018
So Manzoor pashteen who is doing peaceful protests is a terrorist and ihsanullah ihsan, mullah Omer, mullah haibatullah , OBL are peaceful Pakistani civilians. What a GHQ description of terrorism. Real Donald Trum take notice plz https://t.co/TsjBdDfP3M
— Pashtun Nationalist (@ZahidKhan1983) September 15, 2018
Shame on Punjab government for this. Pushtun need to stand up for their rights.
— Samia Toor (@IKthePuppet) September 15, 2018
Many believe this issue needs to be brought up in the next session of National Assembly to raise awareness as well.
Hope you will rise this in National Assembly in next session
— Nabi Jan Orakzai (@NabiJanOrakzai) September 15, 2018
Kindly raise this issue in Parliament too. This is really disgusting. Pashtun r Peaceful citizens of Pak. Pak can proceed without their rule
— سویلین بالادستی (@GhaddarCivilian) September 15, 2018
Hope you will rise this issue in NA!
— Furqan yousafzai (@furqanusafxai) September 15, 2018
Evidently, this shocking advertisement had caused an outcry in Pakistan, and the government was quick to take notice. The ad was retracted from being aired, but it remains on the internet through the power of sharing.
Fawad Chaudhry, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, also made a statement about the government taking down the ad after considering people’s sentiments
This advertisement was immediately taken off as soon it was brought to our attn, it was aired hardly a few times before channels were directed not to air such advertisement. I urge people not to circulate this rejected version https://t.co/6wFtgbCsOl
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 15, 2018
Even though the advertisement was taken down, it remains in the hearts of the people it impacted.
Being a Pathan it hurts really.Immediatly something messed up come in mind.what we have done wrong to this country.why this much ethnic descrimination.Feling fear if i go punjab and police asked from where u come they should beat us, fake fir, fir of terrorism bcz of pathan……
— Sajjad Anjum Khan (@sajjadanjumkhan) September 15, 2018
Once it was taken down, Pakistanis were relieved the government took some form of action.
Thanks for cooperation
— Safiullah Shah (@Safiull50206281) September 15, 2018
Thank you sir for immediate action
— Mumtaz R (@MumtazR6) September 15, 2018
Good sir
— Tariq Khan (@tariqsultan9990) September 15, 2018
However, some people still want answers and justice.
Good but not enough – must fix responsibility and take action – such acts reflect a mindset, for which there should be zero tolerance
— Ijaz Khan (@ijazkhan) September 15, 2018
I guess Punjab govt need to air apology as well. This is disgusting.
— Rehman AR (@Insaaf_Pasand) September 15, 2018
Who is responsible for playing such advertisement. The responsible should be brought to justice. It has left bad image of Manzoor. We hope for the justice.
— khalidkakar 🔊 (@khan1481991) September 15, 2018
Really inappropriate Act.I think the authorities should apologize on this proces and also should be removed it
— Kalim ullah Khan (@kalimkhan0007) September 15, 2018
As horrifying the ad was, it’s heartwarming to see Pakistanis come together and unite to defend a particular group. What do you think about this entire debacle?
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