The shoe attack by a former seminary student on the ruling PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif at Jamia Naeemia mosque here on Sunday has jolted the elitist political class as it was the third act of humiliation against the most powerful functionaries of the country.
On Saturday, a man splashed ink on Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif while he was addressing the workers convention at his home town, Sialkot The country's second most powerful minister, Interior, Ahsan Iqbal also suffered humiliation when a man lobbed a shoe at him while he was addressing the workers' convention at his home town, Narowal on 24th of last month.
All these incidents of extremism, humiliation and rebellious speeches by politicians have caused a stir on social media where many analysts observed that it seemed public wrath against the country's political politburo is touching a new high that may hamper smooth conduct of electioneering and general elections not far off this year. Immediately after the unfortunate incident, condemnations started pouring in on social media by the Political leaders of different parties.
Interior Minister, Ahsan Iqbal, said that the recent incidents of throwing shoes and ink at PML-N leaders in sequence are deplorable and I hope that it is not an orchestrated pattern. Those doing so only show their moral bankruptcy.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari denounced a 'shoe attack' on political rival Nawaz Sharif.
"I want to tell both PTI workers and the public that throwing shoes or ink on people is not the right way [to protest]," said the PTI chief. "This is against our moral values and I am glad that a PTI worker is not involved in this incident," Imran told the media in Faisalabad.
Reacting to the incident, Bilawal said that the culture of intolerance should not be promulgated. "It was a very unethical act," remarked the PPP chairman.
Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah also condemned the incident, calling the action 'extremely inappropriate and wrong'. "I wasn't aware of the incident until you told me," Shah said to the journalists adding, "but it is unethical to do this to anyone, be it a politician or a person who belong to any other profession."
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb strongly condemned the attack. "We need to change our collective behaviours," she said. "Letting differences turn into hatred is inappropriate, Imran Khan has condemned the incident which is appreciable," the minister said, "but his violent rhetoric has affected the mindset of people."
Senator Rehman Malik tweeted: Shoe throwing on Ex PM Nawaz Sharif and Black Ink on Kh Asif are highly condemnable and can not be accepted at all. I demand from PM and CM Punjab for legal action and exemplary punishments for the perpetrators. Our religion, Islam, does not allow any such public humiliation of any one.
Jahangir Khan Tareen tweeted: Hurling shoes and throwing ink at rulers is condemnable. Why resort to such acts, when you have the option of sending them out through the power of vote? Do take your revenge but take it gracefully. Shireen Mazari tweeted: I will oppose and fight Sharif's corruption at all levels but absolutely condemn act of throwing shoe at Nawaz Sharif. Violence to show political disagreement is not the answer. Not voting for these corrupt mafias led by NS and humiliating them in elections should be people's response.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Sirajul Haq, lamented the act. He said that this incident was deplorable and goes against the code of conduct Islam demands from its followers to adhere to.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan Leader, Farooq Sattar, also condemned the act. He said that there is a need to practice politics of non-violence. Leaders should also preach their followers to adhere to ethical expression of politics.
Awami National Party leader, Asfandyar Wali Khan decried the act and said that such attitudes reveal the height of intolerance prevalent in our society. Provincial Minister for HR&MA Khalil Tahir Sandhu condemned the shameful incident with the leader of PML-N Nawaz Sharif; he said that this incident was extremely shameful and against the ethics. The minister said that we all need to make positive changes in our behavior so that everyone's honor can be protected.
Pakistan Awami Tehrik spokesman said that while the incident is regrettable, PML-N leaders and ministers should also stop degrading the superior judiciary and state institutions. He said that the attempts made to amend Khatm-e-Nabuwwat oath in the constitution has stirred emotions. Mazhar Abbas (senior analyst) said that all must condemn what happened with Khawaja Asif, but, we should all remember that in the past we not only kept silent but supported similar acts with Ahmad Raza Kasuri, late Sher Afghan Niazi and Arbab Rahim. It is time for leaders to set a political code of ethics.
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