With the blast in Peshawar that took the life of Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haroon Bilour, Twitter users grieved the great loss and offered their condolences. Under the hashtag #HaroonBilour, users praised his nobility, referring to him as a martyr.
Journalist Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) posted in a tweet, “ANP leadership is bravest amongst Pakistani politicians. They truly challenged scourge of terrorism on our home land. Gave their lives, sacrificed their children yet they didn’t waiver. Haroon Bilour Shaheed. Shaheed deserve burial with national honor and the nation’s salute.” Fatima Bhutto (@fbhutto) posted an emotional quote by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, “every attack and every son that stands over his father’s grave, every father that stands before his son’s body, reminds me of what Faiz said: that Pakistan is a congregation of pain…” Journalist Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) carried the sentiment in a tweet that read, “so many sacrifices by one family: Bashir Bilour killed in a suicide blast in 2012. His brother Ghulam’s only son Shabbir Bilour shot dead in clash at a polling booth in 1997. Today his son #HaroonBilour killed in explosion during party meeting in #Peshawar #Pakistan.”Twitter user Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) posted a video of Bilour’s last moments. She stated, “no security given to him on the orders of Chief Justice Saqib Nisar who himself keeps a convoy of protocol and security. #PeshawarBleeds #GE2018.”
Meanwhile, #Elections2018 featured discussions about PPP led press conference that faced a halt due to media censorship. Senator Sherry Rehman (@sherryrehman) posted, “clips from the censored #PPPPressConference last night where a right to defend was denied by blackout. Those who started live broadcast were told to cut off. We fought censorship in Zia’s time we can and will fight it today.” The party’s official account @PPP_Org posted, “there’s a new IJI being made for 2018, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s campaign has also encountered alarming road blocks and media blackouts all over the country. #PPPPressConference.” #HanifAbbasi also became viral on Twitter, as users tweeted about their anticipation for the July 21st verdict on his case. A twitter user posted a picture of a PMLN campaign poster that read, “Say No To Drugs. Anti Narcotics Force helpline: 1415.” With the photo the user wrote, “no need of any caption. #HanifAbbasi” Other users took the opportunity to talk about ‘injustice prevailing during the elections’. He stated, “why prolong to 21st July?? We know the verdict. Either he will be put in jail or disqualified. Injustice never rules forever #HanifAbbasi.”
Under #GE2018, tweets about the the security establishment’s role in the elections became popular. Daily Times editor Raza Rumi (@Razarumi) posted, “PPP has also come out openly by naming serving officers allegedly meddling in politics. Complaints of pre-poll rigging are serious. Are the caretaker government/ECP sleeping? I hope COAS looks into this. The neutrality of our national sec. institutions must be preserved.” Murtaza Solangi posted(@murtazasolangi): “Pakistan’s moment of truth is approaching fast. On Thursday, July 26, we shall know if it was a #GeneralElection or the #GeneralsElection.” Omar R. Quraishi posted a tweet informing users about the suspension of Ahmad Mansoor, the reporter who made a sarcastic comment on Imran Khan at yesterday’s DGISPR presser. Some users responded with hostility, while journalist Mehmal Sarfraz (@Mehmal) asserted: He was being sarcastic. It was a cheeky comment.
Published in Daily Times, July 12th 2018.
