As Prime Minister Imran Khan reached China amid Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) nationwide protests, an old tweet of his has gone viral over the social media, in which Khan had criticised the then premier for traveling abroad as the country “burned”.
“Karachi to Gilgit, Pakistan is burning and rulers [are] least bothered. Instead, they are traveling abroad or boasting of invisible ‘achievements’!” Khan had stated in a tweet published back in the year 2012.
Karachi to Gilgit Pak is burning & rulers least bothered. Instead they are travelling abroad or boasting of invisible “achievements”!
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 4, 2012
It was aimed at criticising former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, who had traveled to China for the Boao Forum while violence linked to sectarian, ethnic and political tensions continued in different parts of the country.
With Khan reaching Beijing on late Thursday night as TLP-led protests against Aasiya Bibi’s acquittal continued across the country, Twitterati have flooded the micro-blogging website with his tweet, criticising him for adopting “double standards.”
Tweet Repeat -> “Karachi to Gilgit Pak is burning & rulers are least bothered. Instead they’re travelling ABROAD or boasting of invisible ‘achievements’!”
And now the Prime Minister also the Interior Minister is away when #Pakistan is facing an internal crisis.
Governance? NILL!! pic.twitter.com/ILxfDc6AVe— Tariq Vaid | طارق وید (@Tariq_Vaid) November 2, 2018
Internet never forgets ??
— Haseeb (@haseebakbar) November 2, 2018
History repeat itself. Today Khan is in China and Karachi to Gilgit is burning. Therefore think before you undue criticize! pic.twitter.com/8oxCg0MYau
— Asim Masoom Zubair ? (@Asim_mz) November 2, 2018
This aged well.
— Mangogh (@ManhattanMango) November 2, 2018
Meanwhile, a few also stepped up to defend the prime minister.
Touché, really? NO! You can’t compare Imran’s sincerity with the country to Zardari’s. ?
— Chukor (@Chukor13) November 2, 2018
He is in china with a begging bowl so that he can feed this poor nation. Meeting with chinese president is not a small thing, huge preparations went in for this visit. Tum logun se baatein kerwa lo bus
— Sabeeh ul hassan (@sabeeh_saad) November 2, 2018