Violence and bloodshed during the ongoing election campaign has been a trending topic of discussion among Twitter users since the past week. Tweets under #GE2018 discuss recent blasts and gun attacks, targeting various election rallies in parts of Balochistan and Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa. According to a tweet by Jibran Nasir, Dawood Achakzai, a leader of Awami National Party (ANP), came under attack at his house. Nasir posted(@MJibranNasir), “ANP leader Dawood Achakzai injured in Balochistan gun attack. Prayers for his swift recovery.”
A particularly disturbing instance of animal cruelty also came to light in discussion under the #GE2018 hashtag. Several Twitter users have shared images of a donkey who was severely beaten up after some unidentified assailants wrote ‘Nawaz’ on his abdomen. Coming in the wake of PTI chairman Imran Khan’s use of the term ‘gadha’ (urdu term for donkey) for PML-N supporters, it seemed apparent to many Twitter users that those responsible for the animal’s misery must be supporters of the PTI.
Journalist Naila Inayat posted with the pictures attached (@nailainayat): “Glimpse of Naya #Pakistan. Imran Khan supporters in Karachi beat up a donkey with stones, sticks and scribble ‘Nawaz’ on its back. This comes days after Imran Khan called PMLN supporters donkeys. #GeneralElection2018. ”
Fatima Bhutto (@fbhutto) also expressed her anger in a tweet that said, “PTI supporters punched a donkey in the face, beat its abdomen and rammed a car into its helpless body because their leader calls his opponents donkeys. A depraved and disgusting act of violence and cruelty.” Sharing the sentiment, Senator Sherry Rehman (@sherryrehman) tweeted, “This is too horrible to countenance. This bestiality to a poor, helpless animal for the fun of scoring cheap political points is just too much. These are the public values that hate speech from a high podium will bring. Good help Naya Pakistan.”
Twitter users have also been commenting on the use of profane language in the speeches of various politicians. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) posted on his official account, “You cannot come to Karachi & call the supporters of your opponents ‘living corpses’, you cannot go to Punjab and call those who don’t support you “donkeys”- you become PM of the whole country not just your supporters….” Raza Ahmed Rumi (@Razarumi), editor of Daily Times, retweeted this post and asserted, “it’s time that ‘uncles’ in politics learn a lesson from young @BakhtawarBZ- abusive language and references may get some claps but they pollute and destroy sensible political discourse.”
Women’s rights lawyer Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) used the hashtag to post a video outlining sexist outbursts by notable politicians in almost all of the mainstream political parties of Pakistan. The video included scenes from National Assembly sessions, press conferences, and political talk-shows. She stated, “Sexism in Pakistani Politics – Watch these politicians and make informed decisions” She also retweeted a post by journalist Gibran Ashraf (@GibranAshraf): “I have tried to map incidents of violence against candidates and their associates in #Pakistan ahead of the #PkElections2018. If you know of any incident I have missed, please feel free to tweet to me (try and accompany with news report link)”
In other news, a video went viral showing former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq cussing at Imran Khan, his party, and the Punjabis who will vote for him. PTI southern Punjab’s official account @PTIISPOfficial posted a tweet addressing Ayaz Sadiq. It stated, “Dear PML-N Candidate Ayaz Sadiq, you crossed the line and were so ill-mannered when you called the people ‘shameless…’ This is why they will vote for Imran Khan, because they have shame. #AbSirfImranKhan #RIPPMLN” Citizen journalist Gul Bukhari also posted in a tweet(@GulBukhari): ” This is condemnable, even though it’s understood it is in response to Imran Khan & Pervez Khattak calling voters donkeys… Respect all voters, Mr Sadiq. We do not want you to mimic PTI one bit.”
Twitter users also offered support to journalist Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi), despite the media censorship trailing the elections of 2018. In what could be seen as a vocal protest by various journalists on Twitter, Omar Quraishi(@omar_quraishi), PPP’s media manager, retweeted a post by Waseem Ahmad Shah (@waseemdawn), a Peshawar-based journalist. In the tweet, the latter stated, “Media in Pakistan is passing through hardest time of its existence and amidst web of censorship there r few journalists including Asma Sherazi who have become flag bearers of the independence of media. Stay strong and never be cowed down…”
On a lighter note, journalist Mubashir Zaidi (@MubashirZaidi) wrote in a tweet, “A swing fell in the Karachi Askari park, candidates be careful! Even an Askari swing can fall during the elections.”
The tweet that topped all in terms of humour was the one made by journalist Naila Inayat (@nailainayat). She posted a picture of a campaign poster for Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan that depicted their NA-124 candidate Sameera Noreen. Instead of her face, there was a veiled figure pictured to represent her. In the caption, Naila Inayat stated, “In case you’re a female candidate from Khadim Hussain Rizvi’s Labbaik. #GE2018 #Pakistan.”
Published in Daily Times, July 18th 2018.