In case you haven’t been up to date with the world of social media, the recent showdown between Shahid Masood and Saeed Ghani is what’s keeping Pakistanis entertained on Twitter.
Shahid Masood is a journalist and political analyst who doesn’t need a detailed introduction.
He’s been presiding over our TV screens for years, making his name one that’s pretty well known in every household.
Saeed Ghani happens to be a high ranking member of Pakistan People’s Party.
Now, Shahid Masood has always managed to rub people the wrong way with his candid and rather brazen approach to analyzing politics. If you watch his shows, you know that the man does not hold back. Which kinda sorta perfectly explains why he’s in his current situation.
Apparently, Masood passed certain statements on the show that were basically allegations against Saeed Ghani.
Now we’re used to a certain style of anchoring where we know that this is routine. Plus, we also tend to believe that politicians toh waisay hee corrupt hain. That’s kind of how we expect things to happen.
What no one expected was Ghani instantly calling out Masood for these “baseless allegations,” accusing him of spreading fake news.
My request 2 @HamidMirPAK @shazbkhanzdaGEO , @WaseemBadami , @Kashifabbasiary , @nadeemmalik , @ShahzadIqbaal @AajKamranKhan Pl give me my right to respond baseless allegations of @Shahidmasooddr
invite both of us in ur shows.#ExposeShahidMasood— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) November 21, 2017
People probably weren’t expecting Ghani to literally hop aboard a plane to clear his name – but he did.
You’ve GOT to admit – that’s a solid Bollywood move.
Just landed at Isd Airport. Flight delayed by more than 2-30 hrs. Now moving towards News One office.@Shahidmasooddr pic.twitter.com/lYJExJ8BJl
— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) November 21, 2017
Woh sab toh hua hee – when Masood allegedly remained unresponsive to all this, Ghani kept trying to get his attention.
Dr @Shahidmasooddr today again I m coming to your office at 7-45pm. Show some courage & give me a chance to expose ur lies.#ExposeShahidMasood
— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) November 22, 2017
And then, this video started circulating.
You’re going to want to watch this. Trust me.
Do Shahid Masood have the moral courage to face @SaeedGhani1 and offer apology over hos twisting programs? #ExposeShahidMasood pic.twitter.com/q8HZafprAY
— Emran Brohi (@ibrohi31) November 21, 2017
Ab jab high-ranking leader sahab is taking down a news analyst online, his supporters were bound to join in.
Enough is Enough know.!! If you don't give any Prove against @SaeedGhani1 We demand you to give Resign from journalist. We demand #Pemra to take action against #ShahidMasood. We haven't forgotten your Words what you spoke against my Motherland #Sindh ✌ #ExposeShahidMasood pic.twitter.com/GLRnQPuWCV
— Sheharyar Nawaz 🇪🇭 (@sharyarnawaz2) November 22, 2017
Some of them were rather creative.
https://twitter.com/sumaira_laghari/status/933381472400084993
Others had their attention elsewhere.
I want all Human Rights group to protect the co-host of Dr Shahid Masood program. She is been harassed to support his weird views.
— iSk Real (@ImranSaeedKhan1) November 22, 2017
Kuch Ghani sahab ki tareef bhi kar rahe thay.
We all stand with @SaeedGhani1 in setting the new trend to #ExposeShahidMasood who is blatant liar. Days of lies on TV screens are numbered. Great initiative by Comrade Saeed Ghani… Bravo ! 👍👍👍
— Mir Sohrab Khan Marri (@MirSohrab) November 22, 2017
And they reported Masood to PEMRA. Of course.
Step one to solving any problem is always reporting it to PEMRA.
We demand @reportpemra to take strict action against Dr Shahid Masood. He should apologise for Airing a fake news & creating a wrong perception about @SaeedGhani1 #ExposeShahidMasood pic.twitter.com/1AzGryxrTE
— Emran Brohi (@ibrohi31) November 22, 2017
There were a ton of accusations that were hurled against Shahid Masood. Some involved Pervez Musharraf. Others involved cases from 2010. Basically, Ghani’s supporters were in full mud-slinging mode. And boy, did they dig deep to find the filthiest mud to sling.
But of course, Shahid Masood ke supporters bhi thay.
https://twitter.com/BushraQureshiPK/status/933370211385913345
More than that, they just seemed more anti-Ghani. Which worked in Masood’s favor in this case.
@SaeedGhani1 Let's see how many people want to listen to corrupt politician like you.. Oooops.. No one!! #WeStandWithDrShahidMasood #SuchKiLagan #ZardariKeHaari
— MojoJojo 💀 (@JunaidJaimel) November 21, 2017
Some people also called out Ghani over him booking his flight.
If you really wanted to confront @Shahidmasooddr than you should have booked an earlier flight
— Shazia chaudhry (@Shaziachaudhry7) November 21, 2017
Some people were probably thought, “Hashtag trend kar raha hai. I’ll add to it too.”
Thank you for the insight.
https://twitter.com/DrSaqlainSh/status/933393627778347008
But THIS GUY. This guy pointed out exactly how the entire scenario was playing out to be.
Soap opera: Saeed Ghani has landed in Islamabad in pursuit of Dr Shahid Masood. The doctor allegedly slandered the senator who wants to set the record straight. But the doctor is now 'avoiding him'… Lol! https://t.co/eNvCJhPMTM
— Talat Aslam (@titojourno) November 21, 2017
While it feels like we’re a part of a drama, it’ll be interesting to see where things go from here. Oh, and if you need a better explanation for what’s going on between Ghani and Masood, here’s a video that’ll explain the very same:
Ab humein nahi pata ke who’s lying and who’s being honest. All we can do is sit back, scroll through Twitter or turn on the TV and see the drama unfold on our news feed and news channels.
What do you have to say about this? Let us know in the comments.