Pakistani controversies that made headlines in 2017

Pakistan politics is more about rabble-rousing than fulfilling promises. What keeps our politicians more relevant is their frequent motor-mouthing and this is something that has become a regular trait.

The 2017 is about to end but it leaves behind plenty of undesirably memorable moments triggered by our elected representatives as well as ‘apolitical’ celebrities. Here we will look at some of the bizarre headline-making statements given by them.

Here you go:

 

When PPP’s Imdad Pitafi called Nusrat Sehar “我们不能告诉” in Sindh Assembly

Before we get into the background of the spat, the aforementioned crosshead contains a phrase in Chinese. Consult Google translate to get the hang of the phrase.

Let’s get back to the issue. A parliamentarian of ruling party in Sindh, Imdad Pitafi, made headlines earlier this year when he hurled abusive yet misogynistic remarks at female lawmaker Nusrat Sehar Abbasi, causing storm in the house as well as on the social media.

The remarks were so hateful that even party ruling scions chipped in on the debate AND condemned his statement. This prompted Pitafi to withdraw and apologise on what he had said as well as draping a traditional shawl on the female lawmaker in respect.

And the spat had a happy ending.

 

When Imran told foreign players visiting Pakistan they are ‘Phateechar(s)’

Pakistani cricket legend Imran Khan termed foreign players — who played the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017 at Lahore in March — as ‘Phateechars’ (low-level), causing widespread outrage among fans in general for ‘disrespecting’ visiting players to help revive Pakistan cricket.

He said that the PSL management brought some players from Africa and labelled them as foreign players.

His statement drew condemnation from several quarters.

“Mujhe Kyun Nikala”- an outcry becoming popular slogan

Ousted by the top court of Pakistan over corruption charges but he didn’t desist from crying foul over his ouster. Nawaz Sharif became a target of several memes after this statement when he literally complained this way in one of his post ouster speeches “Mujhe Kyun Nikala”.

It acquired a status of a national slogan on the social media, especially after the earlier one ‘Bik Gayi Hai Gormint’ that even became popular outside Pakistan.

 

18+: When Fawad Chaudhary used a slang to describe PML-N’s hue and cry on live TV

PTI’s Fawad Chaudhary often appears on television channel and in press talks to present viewpoint of his party and in most cases – defend the party stance in any case.

Recently, he was outside a court in Islamabad when he took strong exception to rival PML-N’s objections with regard to PTI accusations. On a live television show, he described the N-league’s responses as ‘R**** Rona’. However, TV channels made the most of their ‘broadcast delay feature’ and skipped his remarks from being aired.

But his video statement surfaced on the social media.

 

‘Hum Tumhara Youm-e-Hisab bana denge’ – Nehal Hashmi evokes controversy with anti-judiciary speech

A video had emerged on the social media on May 31 featuring the PML-N senator Nehal Hashmi at a gathering in which he warned opponents and those probing the Panama Papers allegations, of dire consequences if they continued with the accountability of PM Nawaz Sharif and his family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqZ2gULzRbM

It is worth mentioning here that the top court had taken a suo motu notice of Hashmi’s diatribe — then the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh secretary general.

Subsequently, the PML-N disassociated itself from the diatribe and later expelled him from the party.

 

Sharmeen Chinoy and a tweet that rebounded on her

Oscar-winning documentary maker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy stirred up a hornet’s nest when she tweeted her rage at a doctor at a private hospital over alleged harassment by adding her sister on the Facebook.

Ms. Chinoy posted a tweet on October 23, narrating that her sister went to Aga Khan Hospital, and the doctor who treated her at the emergency section later sent her friend request on Facebook.

The documentary maker termed it “harassment” and vowed to report it to the relevant authorities, thus dividing internet users with most of them disputing the harassment claim out of a facebook request.

 

Ayesha Gulalai’s explosive press conference

Ex-PTI lawmaker Ayesha Gulalai shot to prominence after she addressed an explosive press conference in August accusing the PTI chief Imran Khan of misogyny and sending her inappropriate text messages.

She also alleged that women were not respected in the PTI and she had quit over differences with the party leadership. All charges have been dismissed by the party.

Gulalai was sent a show cause notice after the press conference to explain her actions but she failed to respond. The party sent a final notice to Gulalai, a copy of which was also sent to the ECP and Speaker National Assembly.

Later, Imran Khan wrote to Speaker National Assembly and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to disqualify Gulalai from her reserved seat in the National Assembly.

 

‘Modi ji, help us’  – a statement from London cause outrage in Pakistan

The Mutahidda Qaumi Movement remained in hot waters in the 2017 for varying reasons. It was a spillover effect on the party of the crackdown that was launched by security forces in 2016.

The party founder stirred up controversy when he allegedly called out the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to protect the ‘Muhajirs’ of Karachi.

In his statement he lamented,” our forefathers made mistake by founding Pakistan.”

The statement by founder of MQM declared people of Karachi as ‘refugees’ and made an appeal to Indian prime minister to raise his voice for Muhajirs.

Rabita committee of MQM-Pakistan strongly condemned the controversial statement of the London-based founder of MQM and disowned the controversial statement issued from London.