To say that PTI faces a fair share of ups and downs when it comes to mainstream media is a bit fo an understatement. Imran Khan’s decisions, choices, and statements always seem to keep him and his party in the limelight – for both, good and bad reasons.
Not too long ago, Khan vowed to defend the blasphemy law – something that didn’t sit well with a lot of people.
'No one can call himself a Muslim if he doesn't believe Muhammad as the Last Prophet' @ImranKhanPTI defining Who's a Muslim and whose not.
Remember, it is a punishable offense in Pakistan if Ahmadis call themselves Muslims. pic.twitter.com/N3Lv2ExV0G
— A. Noor (@AbdvlNoor) July 7, 2018
It led to heated debates online.
Given previous instances of the law being misused, a major concern was how this would impact minorities and their rights in the times to come. In fact, this has remained a point of concern for a long time, and Khan’s statements have made people wonder whether his naya Pakistan will be hospitable towards minorities.
Well, fast forward to a PTI worker sharing a graphic that he claims is “made by the enemies of the state.”
This is NOT @PTIofficial graphic ! It is made by the enemies of the state who want to create chaos & mistrust amongst Pakistani’s!
This is the #Pathetic mindset that has played havoc with our country. pic.twitter.com/wYw0hEuJz2
— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) July 14, 2018
Hmm. Okay. But – let’s just look at that image again real quick.
So the image seems to contain a list of things PTI intends to do. The last point is circled, which states, “Ahmadi, Ismaili, Hindu aur Christian communities ke shehri huqooq ka tahaffuz.” Basically, it talks about the safeguarding of the rights of the Ahmadi, Ismaili, Hindu and Christian communities. Fair enough, right?
But here’s the thing – the PTI worker who tweeted this, he claims this is a fake image.
Moreover, he states that the image is being circulated to “create chaos and mistrust amongst Pakistanis.” Now, you can imagine why people would be a little confused about what’s going on, since the last point seems like a fair objective.
And that’s what people are asking this worker too.
https://twitter.com/_sagalian/status/1018130213400731651
They don’t get what’s wrong.
https://twitter.com/Insafian_Maani/status/1018129280197423106
Even PTI supporters are a little confused.
What do you mean? Our leader IK said himself that minorities will get equal rights under his governess. Minorities deserve equal rights so plz stop tweeting without thinking 😐
— Mary (Release Imran Khan) (@Mary_Haye) July 14, 2018
In fact, people actually want minorities to feel safe here.
https://twitter.com/sadamengr_/status/1018136566823292928
Matlab issue samajh nahi aa raha.
Gee i wonder what the issue was? https://t.co/WlgpD6WwCn
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) July 15, 2018
Some people offered explanations as to what the worker could have meant…
Sir Ismaili Muslims are shown as non-muslim minorities which is factually incorrect.
— Naubahar Rafi (@navobahar) July 15, 2018
Brother I m also PTI supporter but u r not getting point. Ismaili Muslims are shown as non Muslim minorities to affect the PTI vote bank as sizeble voters are ismaili in Karachi..
— Naubahar Rafi (@navobahar) July 14, 2018
…even though it wasn’t really specified in the tweet.
https://twitter.com/AtchhaMohammed/status/1018451150536888320
Even people who took up the anti-Ahmadi argument…
Qadianias have no right to call themselves as Ahmdi
— Sher Zaman Gondal (@zaman2526) July 14, 2018
…were reasoned with since this pertains to security.
https://twitter.com/huma_me/status/1018170720461914112
Basically, fake or not, people don’t see what’s wrong with the image.
https://twitter.com/Insafian_Maani/status/1018129280197423106
Maybe PTI can better explain what they meant? Khair, let us know what you think about this in the comments.
