New Delhi: The Pakistani army spokesperson Asif Ghafoor has landed himself in yet another row, this time for tweeting inappropriately to a journalist who had questioned the tone of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech at the UN General Assembly.
Responding to a tweet by political commentator Gul Bukhari, who said that the “world may just disarm Pakistan” after Khan’s thinly-veiled nuclear threat, Ghafoor offered her Burnol.
I hope BURNOL is available out there? If not, a favour can be done by my fellow Pakistanis on demand. Offer open to many more including for such alike in india. pic.twitter.com/CFpd8F3Fv1
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) September 27, 2019
In Twitter slang, Burnol, an antiseptic cream used to treat burns, has become a way for trolls to mock someone who they believe has been scarred by a taunt or a statement.
However, Ghafoor did not stop there. He proceeded to offer to do Bukhari a “favour” that could be done by his “fellow Pakistanis on demand” earning the ire of many on Twitter.
A slanging match between the two ensued on Twitter with Bukhari offering “general advice” to not tweet when “drunk”.
Ghafoor has a history of gaffes, constantly wading into controversy for his inappropriate, oftentimes sexist remarks and consistent attacks on India. ThePrint looks at some of the instances where he has slipped up in the past.
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The Chandrayaan connect
Ghafoor’s language and content have often caused many to accuse the General of being a “disgrace” to the Pakistan army.
Shame on you. You are a disgrace. Disgrace to Army and disgrace to Pakistan.
— Ahmad Waqass Goraya (@AWGoraya) September 27, 2019
Ghafoor had mocked the Indian army for getting the technology to shoot down Pakistani drones way after claiming his country had successfully shot down at least four Indian drones.
By now, should know how to do it, the way we do…
Alhamdulillah.#NotByBreaking https://t.co/vOT4kc4v19 pic.twitter.com/WBd8CwBLKr
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) September 26, 2019
After India’s second attempt to put a satellite in the moon’s orbit proved unsuccessful, Ghafoor had tweeted “Hindutva will take you nowhere, let alone the moon”. He sarcastically suggested that the country would now level blame on Kashmiris, Muslims and sane “anti-Hindutva” voices.
Well done @isro
Who to blame:
1. Under siege innocent Kashmiris of IOJ&K?
2. Muslims & minorities of endia?
4. Sane anti hindituva voices of endia?
4. ISI?
hindituva will take you nowhere, let alone moon.
For another stream of lies & fake claims see replies!#AnotherVirChakar
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) September 6, 2019
He has also repeatedly dismissed the Indian government’s claim of shooting down an F-16 aircraft in the aftermath of the Balakot airstrike. He accused the Indian media of spreading “fake news” and being “incompetent”.
indian media, trolls and few pseudo …….. are giving foolish & fake news about Pakistan and its Armed Forces. They do this to respond to professional & credible Pakistani media and ISPR. Actually they are certifying their incompetence and implausibility.
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) August 29, 2019
Major General Asif Ghafoor is the Director General of Inter Services Public relations and spokesperson for the Pakistan army who tweets regularly and more often than not gets embroiled in twitter spats not just with fellow Pakistanis but often Indians across the border.
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