Pakistan’s response to increased electricity rates is to arrest those who dare to complain. Pakistani YouTuber Aun Ali Khosa, famous for his sharp social commentary, has reportedly been abducted by a group of armed men in Lahore, Express Tribune reported. The reason? His satirical song ‘Bill Bill Pakistan‘—about high power prices.
Pakistanis are now calling for his release and are blaming only one person—Pakistan COAS Asim Munir.
“Some Major saw “Bill Bill Pakistan” song and it hurt his feelings so he got the YouTuber abducted for Digital terrorism. You reading my tweet will be unable to know if it’s sarcasm or not because in reality, that’s how they rule with their fragile egos,” one X user wrote.
According to local news reports, Khosa was abducted from his apartment. Ten armed individuals allegedly forced him into a vehicle and drove away. Following this, Khosa’s brother, Ali Sher Khosa, turned to social media to share the news and called on the public to assist in their efforts to find Khosa.
A protection order has now been issued, Ali informed on X.
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What is the song all about?
Khosa is a comedian and content creator known for his sharp satire, which critiques the policies of the current regime in Pakistan. The song released on 13 August had close to 2 million views on YouTube. Set to the tune of the patriotic song “Dil Dil Pakistan“, the song highlights the severe hardships faced by ordinary Pakistanis due to the economic crisis triggered by government policies.
“Badhte rahe ye tax or bills, bharti rahi saari awaam, Bill Bill Pakistan (Taxes and bills keep increasing, citizens keep paying bills),” the song goes.
The video has been removed from Khosa’s YouTube channel following his abduction.
Pakistan has experienced significant currency devaluation, stagnant growth, crippling inflation, sharp increases in fuel and energy prices, and an unsustainable tax burden on the lower and middle classes.
Rising electricity bills saw a surge in suicides among consumers unable to pay their electricity bills. Cases included an elderly woman taking her life after using her savings to pay a bill of PKR 18,000.
One X user pointed out how Khosa’s song was a sharp indictment of Pakistan’s energy crisis.
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‘Dictatorial regime, morally depraved’
Following the abduction, various lawyers and activists took to social media to condemn the act.
“The abduction of Aun Ali Khosa has shown that people’s laughter can also bring instability to the country. For stability, it is necessary that the people remain tolerant, do not question and silently tolerate fascism. No need to use your mind. Only the state will tell when to be happy, when to laugh, when to cry,” Lawyer Jibran Nasir wrote on X.
PTI, too, was not far behind. The party blamed the ‘military-backed government’ for these acts and said Imran Khan’s removal had brought economic instability to the country.
“Let the world know how the military-backed, illegitimate, authoritarian regime in Pakistan is not only abducting, torturing & disappearing peaceful protestors, politicians, journalists, social media activists, their family members including children; but is now abducting artists & comedians as well, just for using satire & comedic relief in highlighting the dismal situation of the country! The moral decay & depravity of this dictatorial regime is unparalleled,” the party wrote on X.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)