Shehbaz Sharif said he was sorry for the motorway incident comment but does he mean it?
The traumatizing motorway incident has reignited an important conversation over women’s safety in Pakistan. While the awaam has been concerned with matters of safety (their own and the victim’s), politicians of this country have been busy ‘politicizing’ the issue.
In a clip that has gone viral, leader of the Opposition, Shehbaz Sharif spoke about the motorway incident in the session at the National Assembly but only with the purpose to highlight the construction of the motorway as PML N’s achievement
While talking about the motorway incident, Shehbaz Sharif, said that it would not be inappropriate to mention the fact that the place where the incident took place is the motorway which is a project by Nawaz Sharif and PML N. In his own words, ” Sailkot motorway pai yeh waqaya paisha aya, yahan pai main yeh samjhta hun kay yeh kehna ghair munasib nahe hoga kay yeh motorway bhe mian nawaz sharif ki sarbarahi main Muslim League noon nay banayi.”
For some reason he thought that was an… achievement?
Naturally, people were infuriated by the insensitive remark made by the former CM Punjab
It’s time for Shehbaz Sharif to apologise on his insensitive and irrelevant remarks, for using the assembly floor and space of women issues to further his political agenda. Very very petty thing to do.
— Zameer Maan (@ZameerMaan) September 14, 2020
They were shocked by the way that other members of PML- N approved of his statement
Is this man for real? What is he trying to say here?
Khwaja Asif also approves of this insensitive statement. pic.twitter.com/a2lXqiS6gs
— Maria Memon (@Maria_Memon) September 14, 2020
People termed his speech as unethical and inappropriate
I am very surprised by the speech of Shehbaz Sharif. His speech was inappropriate and unethical. He kept repeating how NS had built motorways and deployed police. He forgot how he turned off the mic of Zainab’s father in a press conference during his tenure. Shame
— Syeda Tuba Anwar (@syedatubaanwar) September 14, 2020
They stated that they had to re-listen the statement because they couldn’t believe their ears and were disappointed by the way he tried to take the credit for building the motorway instead of talking about the victim
I have actually had to listen to shahbaz sharif insane comment thrice to make sure I haven't heard it wrong. Absolutely psychotic.
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) September 14, 2020
A few even gave references to the Zainab case and mentioned the culture of non-seriousness to issues pertaining to women and children’s safety in Pakistan
https://twitter.com/AamnaFasihi/status/1305778306873282560?s=20
A lot of people were shocked at the audacity of the PML-N to showcase their achievements at a time which is as sensitive like this
Whoever named shahbaz sharif as "Show-baz sharif" was a reall pro!
— zoni (@ZunairaRasheed4) September 15, 2020
They even talked about the way opposition could have used this opportunity to talk some sense into the Government
Opposition had this golden opportunity to talk some sense on the parliament floor & turn the tables in their favour a little & yet all Shahbaz Sharif did was prove how Imran khan is still the sane-est out of all our options.
— nma (@namaloomafraaad) September 14, 2020
Upon realizing the severity of the situation, Shehbaz Sharif apologized saying he wasn’t able to contextualize his comment
He further mentioned that he is also affected by the traumatic motorway incident and he hopes that the government takes measures to make it a safer route for the citizens using it.
Couldn’t properly contextualize my comment during NA speech & it came across as insensitive. I didn’t mean it that way & am sincerely sorry for it. I’m devastated like all of u on this unfortunate incident. Hope Govt now provides security on Sialkot motorway 4 safety of citizens!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 15, 2020
Most people are really not buying his apology, calling it just as fake as the one tendered by the CCPO Lahore
Do these people even listen to themselves? https://t.co/0WfO1EIY1E
— Knicq 🇵🇰 (@knicq) September 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/humairtarek/status/1306100932351062016
In other words, “I failed to sugarcoat my natural poison, I am sorry. I will work on my craftsmanship to fool you Better” https://t.co/kXOZTo4w8W
— SQRaza (@S_Q_Raza) September 16, 2020
Our politicians need to show a little more sensitivity by making responsible statements about issues that are as important as this one. Politicizing the issue or taking credits for the previous projects at a time like this can adversely impact the image of the political party.
What are your thoughts on the issue?
Cover image via: bolojawan.com
