PM dubs smear campaign against martyrs ‘horrifying’

Thanks UAE president for investment in Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday condemned the social media campaign initiated against the martyrs of the Pakistan Army, termed it “horrible”, and asked the nation to reflect on the issue.

Taking to his official Twitter account, the premier wrote, “The social media campaign belittling & ridiculing the sacrifices of our martyrs was horrifying.”

He also wrote that such incidents take place because of the holier-than-thou narrative brought forth in the name of politics.

“This is what self-righteous political narratives do: they poison the minds of the youth & weaponise hate speech. Which way are we headed?” the premier questioned. At the end of his tweet, he stated: “The moment calls for a deep reflection.”

The PM’s tweet came after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Babar Iftikhar on Friday condemned the negative propaganda on the social media, which took off after the helicopter crash, in which six personnel of the Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom.

“We have been distressed since the accident on August 1. The propaganda has caused immense pain, particularly to the families of the martyrs,” the ISPR said in a statement. Emphasising that this should not happen, Maj Gen Babar said that elements spreading negative propaganda and rumours should be rejected.

“Insensitive behaviour is unacceptable and should be condemned on every platform,” he asserted, adding that the Pakistan Army was grateful to the nation for standing by them and the martyrs.

On August 2, a Pakistan Army helicopter that had gone missing a day prior in Balochistan crashed, leaving six military personnel martyred, the ISPR confirmed. The military chopper had gone missing as it was en route from Quetta to Karachi at around 5:30pm. The personnel in the helicopter were overseeing flood relief efforts in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Sunday and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including regional and international developments.

Qatar and Pakistan enjoy close and cordial relations. Qatar is home to over 200,000 Pakistani diaspora that is playing a pivotal role in the development of Qatar and Pakistan, read a statement. Separately, the prime minister thanked United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan for his country’s investment in Pakistan.

In a tweet, he said, “Grateful to my brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan @MohamedBinZayed for the investment that the UAE is going to make in various sectors of Pakistan.” “Both brotherly countries are very keen to further strengthen their multifaceted relationship,” the PM added.