Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistani social media scene on Friday remained dominated with reactions to the ouster of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The reactions were mostly mixed. Bits of sarcasm, humour and trolling also found their way into the buzz. Even though it started with cheers on social media, Daily Times’ Editor @Razarumi noted the decision was expected: “As expected, Supreme Court of Pakistan has disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. References to be filed against him+family.”

Prominent journalist @HassanNisar tweeted: “I would like to congratulate whole nation on this historic decision.”

Reacting to the news, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s former wife @Jemima_Khan said: “Gone Nawaz Gone !” She didn’t stop there. She went on to tweet: “No civilian PM of Pakistan has ever completed a full 5 yr term. Inshallah the next one will.”

“Good riddance! Still today spewing out those same, tired, old Zionist conspiracy theories that blighted my life in Pakistan 20 yrs ago.” This was followed by a more personal tweet: “Good riddance to the man who tried to get me jailed when I was pregnant with my 2nd child on trumped up (non bailable) charges of smuggling.”

Jumping in with some strong words was actor turned “political commenter” @iamhamzaabbasi who said: “I will miss the “Go Nawaz Go” slogan cuz its Gone Nawaz Gone now. Bye bye Nawaz Sharif, may U & ur family rot in jail soon.”

Senate Opposition Leader @AitzazAhsanPK said: “Nawaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar & Capt (r) Safdar disqualified for whole life. Well Done Supreme Court, JIT, Independent Media & Imran Khan.”

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator @SaeedGhani1 tweeted and was retweeted by Awami National Party’s (ANP) @BushraGohar: “Biggest supporters of Article 62/63 became victims of the same articles.”

Reiterating her resolve, ex-PM’s daughter who was also one of the accused, @MaryamNSharif said “Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest Insha’Allah. Stay strong PMLN.”

She went on to say: “Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif’s resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Insha’Allah. Roksakte ho to roklo !”

This followed by former defence minister @KhawajaMAsif who expressed the optimism with the words “1999 NS was removed, jailed, exiled & party obliterated. Came back to become PM. 2017 removed again, he is home & free, majority in NA wait.”

Then there were those who reminded it may not really be a ‘win’ after all. Voice of America (VOA) journalist @NazranaYusufzai tweeted and was retweeted by former GEO journalist @beenasarwar “A reminder ! We are still ruled by nazria-e-zarurat. #PanamaVerdict.”

She went on to say, “This is another day of embarrassment in judicial history.”

Journalist @ShahzebJillani said: “This case was less about corruption & accountability; more about reminding the political class who really runs Pakistan.”

Weighing in from the legal perspective, @MurtazaGeoNews tweeted a quote from prominent human rights lawyer @Asma_Jahangir saying, “Asma Jahangir says Supreme Court judges hav demonstrated vindictiveness & bias by disqualifying Nawaz Sharif, says due process not followed.”

Then there was some humour and trolling. Take @snobers’ tweet for example: “I wonder what President Mamnoon Hussain would be thinking at this moment?!”

The buzz on social media is still strong on the subject and it’s safe to predict this will continue for a while.

Published in Daily Times, July 29^th , 2017.