‘Ko Ko Korina’ singer, PTI minister exchange blows on Twitter

Ahad Raza Mir and Momina Mustehsan’s rendition of the 1960s classic Ko Ko Korina did not go well with many Pakistanis who shared their disappointment on social media and now Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari has also given her two cents on the song which started a Twitter spat between the two.

Taking to the Twitter, the PTI minister said, “Horrendous! Destroyed a great classic – why oh why did Coke Studio allow such a massacre of this classic song?”

Horrendous! Destroyed a great classic – why oh why did Coke Studio allow such a massacre of this classic song? https://t.co/Iq5gfCPYcr

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 21, 2018

The 26-year-old singer then hit back at the PTI minister, stating that she had the right to freedom of expression.

“Apologies for hurting ur sentiments. It is ur right to judge us & express ur outrage,just like it was our right to exercise our #FreedomOfExpression. As our Minister of #HumanRights, u should appreciate @cokestudio for allowing us to express ourselves, esp if it was horrendous :),” read the Coke Studio sensations’ tweet.

As someone holding office, I’d expect you to be more responsible with how you express yourself on public platforms. We look up to you, ma’am, as citizens of this country. Uncle Ben from Spider-Man said “with great power comes great responsibility”. Don’t let us down #NayaPakistan https://t.co/Ghvw5tivkd

— Momina Mustehsan (@MominaMustehsan) October 22, 2018

Mazari was quick to respond to Momina while defending herself. “I gave my personal opinion which I am entitled to esp on a non pol issue having to do with music. To each his/her own! And why bring the ministry into it?” she tweeted.

At this, Momina responded, “When you hold office, its not about politics or his/her own anymore – it’s about the country at large. You represent all of us now, not just yourself or #PTI. In a time when we’re trying to curb cyber-bullying and hate speech, please don’t fuel it further.”

When you hold office, its not about politics or his/her own anymore – it’s about the country at large. You represent all of us now, not just yourself or #PTI. In a time when we’re trying to curb cyber-bullying and hate speech, please don’t fuel it further #SocialResponsibility https://t.co/5cX0Z8OaMl

— Momina Mustehsan (@MominaMustehsan) October 22, 2018

Reacting to the cyber-bullying comment, Mazari was of the view that liking or disliking a song has nothing to do with politics, terming it a personal choice.

R u serious! Liking or disliking a song has nothing to do with anyone or any politics! It’s a personal choice. I did not like the song. End of story. https://t.co/7v01spfVZQ

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 22, 2018

Mazari’s daughter Imaan Zainab also commented on the spat. “You don’t owe Mominah Mustehsan or anyone else explanations as to your personal opinions which you are, and always will be, free to express. Pretty much everyone with ears has called the song garbage. Even she seems to acknowledge it,” she tweeted.

You don't owe Mominah Mustehsan or anyone else explanations as to your personal opinions which you are, and always will be, free to express.

Pretty much everyone with ears has called the song garbage. Even she seems to acknowledge it. https://t.co/cNJCRr4i85

— ایمان زینب (@ImaanZHazir) October 22, 2018

At a time when we're trying to promote our artists, please behave responsibly and let the ones who can sing come forward instead of expecting us to appreciate those who can't. #moralresponsibility https://t.co/O5UfcQCQsY

— ایمان زینب (@ImaanZHazir) October 22, 2018

Coke Studio’s Season 11, produced by Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi, did not resonate well with fans and audiences with Twitter blowing up every time a new episode was released. Ahad Raza Mir’s debut on the music platform was much awaited and fans were impatient to see what the heartthrob had in store for them.

However, his rendition of the timeless classic Ko Ko Korina, which he performed with Momina Mustehsan, failed to impress fans, who of course took to Twitter to express their rage and disappointment.