New Delhi: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has finally given the answer to the two most debated questions of the century. One: can insulting Prophet Mohammad be part of artistic freedom? Two: Is Russia a western country?
And his answers aren’t pleasing everybody in Pakistan.
PM Khan on Monday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and appreciated his statement from last month that said insulting Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) does not count as an expression of artistic freedom but is a “violation of religious freedom.”
We also discussed ways to move forward on trade and other mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries. We invited each other to visit our countries.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 17, 2022
While some called the Pakistan PM’s tweet “childish”, others questioned the need of putting out such statements.
Is there a need for such a tweet? Not sure who you are trying to impress but it was certainly a childish tweet.
— Aqib Bhatti (@aqibbhatti2412) January 17, 2022
A user said, “PM #imrankhanPTI made a phone call to thank #Putin for a statement he didn’t repeat or even remember,” hinting at the seeming inconsequentiality of the Russian President’s statement.
PM #imrankhanPTI made a phone call to thank #Putin for a statement he didn't repeat or even remember.
— Farjad فَرجاد ? ? ? (@farjad99) January 17, 2022
Another user thanked Imran Khan and said, “Great ,you kept the connection ,and he deserved a Thank from all Muslim Umma for giving highest respect to our Prophet May God Bless him.”
Great ,you kept the connection ,and he deserved a Thank from all Muslim Umma for giving highest respect to our Prophet May God Bless him ,
— Ahmad Zahir Khan (@ziki36) January 17, 2022
But there were also those who to took this opportunity to question the prime minister on inflation and employment situation in Pakistan.
Sir talked on inflation. No jobs, inflation rate is high what we do?
— Ayan Asad (@ayanasad371) January 17, 2022
Taking a jibe on Khan, one user said Russia is not a Western world.
Putin Russia utha kar west ly gaya aur app humain abb bata rahay hain?
— Musab Bin Sattar (@Gooshu) January 17, 2022
Pakistani influencer Sameera Khan said, “Russia is not part of the “West” but great sentiment.”
Russia is not part of the “West” but great sentiment
— sameera khan (@SameeraKhan) January 18, 2022
An account by the name ‘lly’ said: “almost nobody among Russians thinks that the country is Asian”.
From a cultural aspect, Russia (particularly its literature, music, painting, philosophy and architecture) is classified as a part of the West. … Interestingly, almost nobody among Russians thinks that the country is Asian
— Ily (@ismai25) January 18, 2022
Some went on to remind the Pakistani PM of the traits of ‘state of Madina’.
ریاست مدینہ میں کام چور افسران کو عبرت کا نشانہ کا رواج ہے یا نہیں سر!
کتنے افسران کو بروقت کام نہ کرنے پر آپ نے معطل کیا ہے یا اسے گرفتار کیا ہے۔ آپ کا ہر محکمہ ہر لوٹ کھسوٹ میں آزاد ہو چکا ہے کیونکہ ان کی گرفت کرنے والا کوئی نہیں۔— بول بچن(رَمَل)???? (@ApnaMohsin) January 17, 2022
What Putin had said
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his annual news conference had said: “Insults to the Prophet are a “violation of religious freedom and the violation of the sacred feelings of people who profess Islam.”
In a statement, PMO Pakistan Monday said, “The Prime Minister stated that he has been regularly highlighted the appalling rise in Islamophobia and associated hatred in his addresses to the UN General Assembly, pointing towards its serious ramifications.”