At a roadside café, Pakistanis who appeared to be PTI supporters heckled Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who is in London with a PML-N team led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
A video showing a group of Pakistanis from abroad around Marriyum Aurangzeb in the heart of London appeared on social media.
The foreign nationals criticised the communications minister for travelling abroad while Pakistan was devastated by floods.
مریم اورنگزیب کو لندن میں پی ٹی آئی کارکنان نے آڑھے ہاتھوں لیا pic.twitter.com/8SXJDpowyC
— Zahid Noor (@ZahidNoorARY) September 25, 2022
Maryam Aurangzeb met PTI protesters in London. pic.twitter.com/dO9ILcag8V
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 25, 2022
One of the videos shows the disorderly woman yelling insults at Marriyum as others were recording her, the minister remaining composed and using her cell phone.
A different video shows the information minister engaging with one of the female fans. “This behavior harms Pakistan’s reputation. I’ve responded to all three of the questions you posed to me. The minister informed the protester that this would be a polite conversation approach.
Marriyum responded to the protester’s query by stating that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had granted overseas Pakistanis the right to vote in 2017 and that the right is still in place because only the use of electronic voting machines was eliminated by recent legislation, which was the only change made to the law (EVMs).
Later, in a tweet, she attributed the incident to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, writing, “Sad to see the toxic impact IK’s [Imran Khan] politics of hate & divisiveness has had on our brothers & sisters. I stayed & answered each & every question they had.”
Marriyum Tweeted: “Sadly, they are victims of IK’s propaganda. We will continue our work to counter IK’s toxic politics & bring people together.”
Sad to see the toxic impact IK’s politics of hate & divisiveness has had on our brothers & sisters. I stayed & answered each & every question they had. Sadly, they are victims of IK’s propaganda. We will continue our work to counter IK’s toxic politics & bring people together https://t.co/KEgOPa5Y3p
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) September 25, 2022
“I salute my sister Marriyum Aurangzeb for her grace and composure in the face of such harassment and baseless lies from that uncouth woman (who can be heard but thankfully cannot be seen),” said Miftah Ismail.
Others who shared his opinion supported the occurrence by stating that “politicians will face wrath of public for their actions”.
When one herself is used to do such things, they get rid of any conscious around dignity or self respect.
— Basit Habib (@BasitHabibMalik) September 25, 2022
Likes of her will try to cash it for personal political gains, rest assured. pic.twitter.com/3u4lDH6Xsv
Lying is "normal" in Pakistan. If politicians mislead the public, they will eventually face their wrath. Of course no one deserves to be embarrassed in public like that, but if you represent criminals, what will you expect!
— Zeeshan Hanif (@The_3rd_Umpire) September 25, 2022
"Honesty Is The Best Policy"
Pavan Manzoor is an experienced content writer , editor and social media handler along with a track record of youth-oriented activities in Pakistan and abroad. She was selected as a fully-funded delegate as a leadership fellow in Turkey. She also led a team of 5 volunteers at the week-long Young Professionals Fellowship in Maldives. She is also a member of the Youth Standing Committee on Higher Education.
