New Delhi: Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s long list of gaffes saw a fresh addition on Tuesday when the Pakistan People’s Party leader was lost in translation during his speech before a gathering at Sindh High Court Bar. A self-aware Bilawal was quick to say, “Tauba kya memes banenge ispe — Goodness, this will lead to a meme fest.”
Bhutto was speaking on the controversial constitutional amendments proposed by the government, which remain wrapped in mystery. The amendments talk about the formation of a new Federal Constitution Court (FCC), which would interpret the country’s constitution and hear appeals against laws passed by parliament. Zardari said that even though only 15 per cent of Supreme Court cases were constitutional, they take up 90 per cent of the court’s time. As per the proposed changes, the FCC would also hear appeals filed against the orders of the high court.
The leader was addressing the queries regarding the FCC at the event. Former Advocate General of Sindh, Barrister Zamir Ghumro, pointed out how the Supreme Court misuses their powers and the FCC will be able to prevent that. Agreeing with Ghumro, Zardari in all seriousness tried to explain the Supreme Court’s entitlement with an English idiom, ‘Give someone an inch and they’ll take a mile’. But, he translation of the idiom in Urdu didn’t quite achieve the reaction he was hoping for.
He began his sentence, in all earnest, saying ‘ wo kehte hain na aap ungli dete hain aur woh poora… signalling a mile using his hands.
While the audience burst into laughter, Zardari made the better decision to not finish his sentence and started explaining himself, “No, in English! I referring to the English idiom”. But the damage was done and even he knew it. Hence, he chose to say the inevitable–this would lead to memes.
There are so many such instances of his infamous use of the Urdu language that Pakistani news channels have decided to document them. BOL News now has a list of his fumbles, which range from his reaction to the Karachi floods to calling the Toshakhana case ‘tocha khana’. One YouTube user commented, “Bilawal never fails to entertain the nation.”
Zardari seemed to having a bad day at the Sindh High Court Bar gathering. First his mic stopped working, which made him get up from his seat and stand at the podium, then he lashed out at a person who was trying to take a picture. Next, he told someone, “Shut up. I’m here to answer questions, not to listen to you talk”.
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Self-entertaining Zardari
His self-awareness won him brownie points on the internet. Instagram users found his gesture ‘cute’. Actor Ayesha Omar remarked, “It’s always great to humour your own self.”
However, others had concerns: “He wants to become the Prime Minister with this intellect. Allah hi hafiz Pakistan ka (God save Pakistan),” another user commented.
But Zardari perhaps is used to this. It’s not his first public embarrassment.
Five years ago, his reaction to flood concerns—jab baarish aata hai toh paani aata hai (when it rains, water comes)—is now part of custom badges and even musical remixes. Even former Pakistan PM, Imran Khan, who is currently in jail, could not resist making fun of him.