Politicians, journalists and ordinary citizens took to social media to condemn the incident of shoe hurling at former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharif was attacked by a shoe when he took to the stage at Jamia Naeemia, Lahore on Sunday, where he had arrived to address a ceremony marking the death anniversary of Mufti Muhammad Hussain Naeemi. The incident comes a day after Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif had ink thrown at him while he was addressing a gathering in Sialkot.
PTI’s official account tweeted a condemnatory statement from Imran Khan. “Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf condemns Shoe attack on Nawaz Sharif. I want to tell everyone that hurling shoes and throwing ink on anyone is not acceptable.
It shouldn’t happen in any democracy.”
A number of other PTI leaders also termed the incident unfortunate and said such practice cannot be encouraged.
PTI central leader Shireen Mazari condemned the incident and said, “Will oppose & fight Sharif’s corruption at all levels but absolutely condemn act of throwing shoe at Nawaz Sharif. Violence to show political disagreement is not the answer. Not voting for these corrupt mafias led by NS & humiliating them in elections shd be people’s response.”
PTI central leader Ali Muhammad Khan said, “Very strongly & vehemently condemn the shoe hurling on Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Had already condemn such act against Ahsan Iqbal & @KhawajaMAsif
This act is against Islam & Humanity. Islam teaches us mutual respect while keeping difference of opinion.
Should never had happened !”
PTI Punjab leader Abdul Aleem Khan tweeted, “I strongly condemn the shameful act of hurling shoe on Nawaz Sharif, this sort of action will only bring forth political instability and unrest in the society.
Social and political intolerance must be discourged at every platform.”
However, PTI leader Naeem ul Haque criticised what he called a ‘poor’ response by PML-N following the incident, “A poor/elitist response by Maryam to throwing of shoe on Nawaz. If she or her father had read Seeratun Nabi or conduct of Khulfa e Rashideen , and tried to call the poor man to the dais and listen to his grievance that wud have been a noble response but getting him beaten up…,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)’s official account also tweeted a statement by its chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
“Chairman PPP @BBhuttoZardari has strongly condemned the incident of throwing shoe at Nawaz Sharif and termed it ugly trend threatening the respect and security of the political leaders in Pakistan”
Another PPP leader Senator Sherry Rehman said, “Absolutely condemnable! Ink and shoe-throwing debase the political environment and degrade public values”
Awami Workers Party (AWP) leader Farooq Tariq tweeted, “Awami Workers Party condemns the shoe throwing incident on Mian Nawaz Sharif, violent political culture is promoted by religious extremist; they must not be forgiven for violent behaviour; #NawazSharif”
Journalists also took to Twitter to express concerns over the growing trend of intolerance towards difference of opinion.
Anchor Syed Talat Hussain said, “Ink attack on Khawaja Asif and shoe attack on Nawaz Sharif. It is getting dirtier and desperate by the day. Now no one will be safe. This is the new ploy. Very very sad.”
Anchor Gharidah Farooqi tweeted, “Highly condemnable ! Shoe hurled at Nawaz Sharif at Jamia Naemia, Lahore. Yesterday Kh Asif, earlier Ahsan Iqbal. What is this pattern going on ? Who are doing it ? Don’t lead the already morally-fragile nation to a new low ! We need to learn : disagree not disrespect !”
Anchor Saadia Afzaal said, “Shoe attack on Nawaz Sharif or throwing ink on Khwaja Asif is highly offensive, such incidents have to be unequivocally condemned!”
Journalist Mohammad Malick said, “Yesterday Ink on Kh Asif, today shoe at Nawaz Sharif…horrible, disgusting, unforgivable. This madness must stop. Must stop at once”
Published in Daily Times, March 12th 2018.
