Mushtaq Ghani or Marie Antoinette?
Ever since the recent price hike, it’s increasingly become difficult for ordinary folks to make ends meet. People have been vocal about their woes but there’s no scarcity of tone deaf responses. One such ‘shocking’ statement by the MPA Mushtaq Ghani has caught the attention of many on social media.
While addressing the audience at Peshawar Press Club, Ghani suggested that eating one roti today can help a person to afford two rotis tomorrow
In response to a question related to poverty and inflation, Mushtaq Ghani said, “If a person who eats two rotis in a day, brings the number to one then the next day he can afford to eat two to three rotis.” He also said that saving can help to curb the menace of poverty.
#NotShocking Inflation rate in Pakistan on record high touching double digit, Finance Minister Asad Umar has already declared economy on the Verge of BANKRUPTCY. So KPK Speaker Mushtaq Ghani has came up with this brilliant idea to boost economy: 2 ki jagah ek roti khayen." pic.twitter.com/rXY90tUeZi
— Jammu-Kashmir Now (@JammuKashmirNow) April 5, 2019
People were not really able to comprehend the logic behind the statement given and said that this was absolute stupidity
Shocking to see this statement by Mushtaq ghani, such a stupid thing to say
— khan (@Sajidk0123) April 5, 2019
Awaam got pretty confused and was eager to know kay kya ab ghabrana shuru kar dain?
1 roti – 1 roti = 1 roti per day
2 rotis + 1 roti = 3 rotis per day
3 rotis per day = End of poverty
PTI's economic policy summed up by PTI's Mushtaq Ghani 😐 https://t.co/5wy2c7lcph— Khushal Khan (@Khushal_Khattak) April 5, 2019
They asserted that the statement made by the speaker is contradictory to the general laws and theories of economics
Genius Economists of PTI continue to turn around Economic theory on it's head 😀
"If a person who eats two rotis in a day, brings the number to one then the next day he can afford to eat two to three rotis," says K-P Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ghani.
— ((Shehzad Younis)) (@shehzadyounis) April 5, 2019
People tried explaining to the minister that a common man in Pakistan doesn’t get the ‘luxury’ of savings
What privilege looks like. Someone tell Mushtaq Ghani people who live pay cheque to pay cheque do not have the luxury to save money. https://t.co/gM1cZ5Q1nS
— Niha Dagia (@nhd00) April 5, 2019
They were curious to know kay inhay votes diye kisnay hain? LOL
Mushtaq Ghani for noble prize.
Jeez isay votes kyun dye hain logon ne 😒 https://t.co/kT746Wul7J— WK (@paperplanes_10) April 5, 2019
A few went on to say that Asad Umar and Mushtaq Ghani both have the same mentors
Mushtaq Ghani and @Asad_Umar most probably have the same mentor https://t.co/buZfQS9RNS
— mo (@moazzamsalim) April 5, 2019
People were confused that if the minister wanted to imply that the poor people of the country have created their problems by eating A LOT
They urged the minister to keep his diet plan with himself.
So this implies that the poor have created their problems by eating too many rotis? Apna diet plan apnay paas rakho, and check your privilege.#Pakistan #MushtaqGhani https://t.co/V5pESVLTab
— Xenia (@xmahsud) April 5, 2019
They even asked the minister to stop lecturing the awaam about ‘how to stop being poor’ and asked the minister to keep a check on his privileges
Mushtaq Ghani: pic.twitter.com/3ShSh1S8Zg
— Anum R. Chagani (@Anumero_1) April 5, 2019
— Smart GuRu (@syedsmart21) April 5, 2019
People tried to explain the critical situation of poverty in the country
Tell this joker that saving comes after you have enough to eat . People are suicide because of poverty and hunger and he is suggesting them to stay more hungry to overcome poverty .
ڈنگر— Pasha (@Faisal_hashmii) April 5, 2019
Several personal attacks were made on the minister, also
He deserves nothing but Chhitrol
— Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan (@zulfikarachi) April 5, 2019
Wah Kya baat hai!!! Why doesnt the great person practice this at home with his wife and children and then see how he feels. These people are showing everyday how much they feel for the poor. Shameless
— Zia Husain (@Zia_Husain61) April 5, 2019
But most of all, people urged the PM to change his team or else warned him to get ready for the serious consequences
جلد ان کو عوام جوتے مارے گی
— Rana Sajid Hussain राणा साजिद हुसैन🇵🇰 (@Ranasajid44) April 5, 2019
You know who this statement sounds like? The infamous “let them eat” cake phrase attributed to Marie Antoinette
She was the Queen of France right before the French Revolution and it is said that upon being inquired about the increasing poverty in France she had said that if poor people can’t afford to buy bread, let them eat cake.
Such tone deaf responses from leaders of a country only ever lead to revolutions. And we all know from history that revolutions can only be bloody and ruthless. Here’s hoping that our leaders have the guts to straight up apologize for being unable to understand their awaam and vow to do better.
But anyway, after the murghi scheme and revelations about weather changes, the PTI government is here with the new roti saving scheme. Do you think this one might actually hold some merit or is Mr. Speaker just very out of touch with realities of his population?
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Cover image via: samaa.tv