The number of snow leopards in Pakistan is rising. That should be a good thing. But when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan shared videos of snow leopards in the wild, he was stormed with whataboutery on jobs, prices, and governance.
Imran Khan posted several videos from his Twitter handle on 25-26 December. Claiming credit for the “increasing number” of snow leopards, he wrote, “Have been sent more videos of snow leopards taken this year. MashaAllah the numbers are increasing due to my government’s strict policy of protecting them in their natural habitat.”
Have been sent more videos of snow leopards taken this year. MashaAllah the numbers are increasing due to my government's strict policy of protecting them in their natural habitat. pic.twitter.com/0OLSxgQACI
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 25, 2021
While the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) terms the status of snow leopards as “vulnerable”, media reports say there are 8,000 snow leopards in the world, 400 of which are estimated to be in Pakistan. In a bid to fight climate change, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has also introduced the National Climate Change Policy, 2021, and the National Wildlife Policy, 2021.
But PM Khan’s videos riled up some Pakistani Twitter users.
A user named AB Malicck mocked Imran Khan’s usage of “my government”. He added that Imran Khan has an “inferiority complex” and keeps gloating “meein meein meein” (me, me, me). He compared the prime minister’s comments with the sound of a goat.
Yahan bh #Meein ??
Mujhy to lgta h es bndy ko #InferiorityComplex h, har jaga #Meein #Meein #Meein krta rhta h, itna to #Bakri bh #MeMe Ni krti??
— AB Malicck (@MalicckAb) December 25, 2021
A handle by the name of ‘Made in Pak’ was among many to target Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over unemployment, inflation, governance, corruption, although he calls himself a “PTI supporter”.
People becoming jobless in PTI era. Inflation on peak & PM is sharing such useless things. Enough time. Bad governance, being PTI supporter & fan of PM,very disappointed.corruption on apex. No response on citizen portal, no whistle blower concept. IA karma wil be seen soon.
— Made in Pak (@faizkccm) December 25, 2021
Some users exhibited anger over the posts. They questioned Imran Khan over the plight of the country while he was busy sharing videos of the leopards. One user, Saith Abdullah, questioned, “Sir hum kya karen leopards ko? Mulk ke halaat dekhen aur apni harkten (What should we do with these leopards? See the country’s plight and your deeds).”
While mocking Imran Khan and his government, another user wrote, “Soon you will have lots of time to watch these videos” and requested the “next government” to give Imran Khan a subscription to Animal Planet and National Geographic. The user was indicating that PTI will lose in the next election.
Soon you will have lots of time to watch these videos infact would request the next govt to give you a paid life time subscription of Animal planet and National Geographic!!?
— Naveed Jawed Savul (@NaveedSavul) December 25, 2021
A user named ‘Hassan’ tweeted with a crying emoji that such posts can be done by the tourism department as well and does not require the prime minister to do it.
The criticism was not just about Imran Khan seemingly trying to distract the people of Pakistan through clips of snow leopards, but also about the usage of “my government” instead of “our government”, which was taken as a sign of arrogance.