PML-N leader and Federal Minister Khawaja Asif has come under fire for using the religion card against PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Speaking on the floor of the house, Khawaja Asif lashed out at the PTI-led KP government and said it is responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the province. While slamming Imran Khan, Khawaja Asif accused the PTI Chief of “creating a new religion”.
Khawaja Asif also accused Imran Khan of blasphemy through PTI posters and the speeches he makes during his rallies.
Read more: After Javed Latif, Rana Sanaullah uses religion card to malign Imran Khan
“An individual is using religion card for his political gains,” Khawaja Asif said while himself using the religion card against Imran Khan.
Religion in politics
Needless to say, Khawaja Asif’s statements did not sit well with many and he was heavily criticized and accused of inciting religious sentiments. His video making the statements is going viral on social media. Pertinent to mention that in Pakistan religious intolerance runs high. Accusations of blasphemy alone often lead to extreme and horrific measures.
Members from the journalistic community, along with the public took to Twitter to condemn the statements made by Khawaja Asif.
“Let’s us all condemn such behavior,” journalist Khawar Ghumman said while sharing Khawaja Asif’s video.
Let’s us all condemn such behaviour. pic.twitter.com/2do6cCyWZQ
— Khawar Ghumman (@Ghummans) October 10, 2022
Strongly condemn Khawaja Asif’s statement on the floor of the parliament, He’s inciting violence against former Prime Minister Imran Khan that could led to any untoward incident , Speaker NA should’ve expunged this. pic.twitter.com/VIafvzafwj
— MNA (@Engr_Naveed111) October 10, 2022
“Statement by a Federal Minister and Senior most PML-N leader Khawaja Asif cannot be just categorized as religion card or hate speech alone. This is incitement and very very dangerous,” ARY’s Senior Executive Vice President Ammad Yousaf said.
Statement by a Federal Minister & Senior most PMLN Leader Khawaja Asif cannot be just categorised as religion card or hate speech alone. This is incitement and very very dangerous pic.twitter.com/MkuNpkE6qG
— Ammad Yousaf (@AmmadYousaf) October 10, 2022
Meanwhile, senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, while sharing the video, took a dig at Defense Minister Khawaja Asif for making such crass statements against former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
خواجہ وینٹیلیٹر صاحب جب بھی بات کرتے ہیں ابلتا گٹر تصور میں آجاتا ہے، https://t.co/GtWgIgVkF2
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 10, 2022
This is not the first time that a PML-N leader has come under fire for using the religion card against Imran Khan. PML-N leaders continue to use the religion card despite many calls – even from their party members – to not drag religion into politics.
Read more: PML-N speaks out against use of ‘religion card’ in politics