Social media users have commended Planning Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal for showing composure after a video of him being heckled by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters at McDonald’s restaurant went viral. The hecklers’ behaviour has been widely condemned, with many terming the incident a sign of growing polarisation in the country.
The video shows the PML-N leader at a fast food establishment at Bhera service station along the M2 Motorway, trying to purchase some food, when a woman walks up to him and starts admonishing him.
Eventually, people around her —presumably her family members, started chanting and heckling him as they left the establishment, calling him a ‘thief’.
The video has left social media users shocked at the level of politicization the country has reached, with many questioning political leaders for inciting such hatred amongst their followers.
Commenting on the incident after the fact, Ahsan Iqbal tweeted yesterday (Friday) that he had at Bhera clashed with a family ‘who seem to consider themselves elite but instead of dialogue they started chanting slogans like ignorant people’.
آج بھیرہ میکڈونلڈ میں ایک یوتھین فیملی سے مڈبھیڑ ہوئی جو بظاہر خود کو ایلیٹ سمجھتی ہے مگر مکالمہ کی بجائے جاہلوں کی طرح نعرہ بازی شروع کر دی۔جب یہ نعرہ بازی سے باز نہ آئی تو لوگوں نے بھی نعرے لگا دئیے “گوگی پیرنی کا حساب دو”
جیسا جاہل اور پاگل خود ویسے ہی پیروکار پیدا کر رہا ہے۔— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) July 8, 2022
Social media users have condemned the incident, calling it an appalling display of hatred.
The fundamental point of never to stand by @ImranKhanPTI is that he spoiled a whole generation after dictator Gen Zia.. Strongly condemn what happened with @betterpakistan https://t.co/oEulN2Upow
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) July 8, 2022
Poor young kids believe they are part of the inqilab happening at the Macdonald’s, theek Genz tayyar howi hai Pakistan ki, few years down the line they will be brightening their future in some western countries. pic.twitter.com/74hZdyLMvF
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) July 9, 2022
Others pointed out that such incidents could trigger even bigger cases of actual violence, and would only further aggravate the political environment in the country.
Imran Khan should ask his followers to behave. What happened with @betterpakistan will further vitiate the political environment and could lead to violence
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) July 8, 2022
جیسے ایسٹیبلشمنٹ کا آلۂ کار بنے رہنے کے بعد آج تتحریکِ انصاف پچھتا رہی ہے۔ جیسے “محب وطن” فورسز کے کہنے پر دوسروں کو غدار کہنے والے صحافی آج خود غدار قرار پائے ہیں یاد رکھئیے، اور یہ ٹوئیٹ محفوظ رکھئیے کہ تحریک انصاف کو مستقبل میں اپنی اس روش کا سب سے زیادہ نقصان ہو گا https://t.co/1BsqWvWb2P
— Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) July 8, 2022
Noting that the family appeared to be from a privileged socioeconomic class, questions were raised at the effectiveness of starting a revolution in an international fast foos chain.
Burger family at McDonalds, thank you for re-establishing that bats are blind indeed. Even those in human form. I guess other parties don’t have to do much work for electioneering. You guys are self-destructive 🙂
— Zahra Hidayatullah (@ZHidayatullah) July 8, 2022
Burgerism. pic.twitter.com/EnOa24lTXE
— Nadeem Farooq Paracha (@NadeemfParacha) July 9, 2022
This is peak PTI. Wealthy people who think their wealth derived from their good character like that of kaptaan and consider all politicians chors. Superior to the masses on acccount of their wealth (and education) and superior to the wealthiest on account of their pure morals. https://t.co/ezcBLMfbtr
— Arsalan Khan (@akkhan81) July 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/ShaykShack/status/1545429660602978305
Look, here is the thing. You may not like Ahsan Iqbal,but he was almost shot to death by a crazy man because you placed a blasphemy bulls-eye on him. The man came back from the jaws of death.
The least you can do is to let the man be, show some remorse and let him buy a burger. pic.twitter.com/ckxOrbxskI
— NaPoha (@Napoha_) July 8, 2022
