Aseefa Bhutto Zardari takes Punjab govt to task over false information on Lahore blast

The youngest of the Bhutto-Zardaris commented on nature of Thursday’s blast in Lahore’s DHA

In the midst of the mysterious blast that rocked Lahore’s upscale Defence Housing Authority (DHA) neighbourhood, Aseefa Bhutto, daughter of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, took it upon herself to call the Punjab government out for spreading misinformation.

The public spat broke out due to multiple claims regarding the nature of the blast, with the Punjab government saying the blast was caused by a generator at the DHA’s Y block. However, many refused to accept the provincial government’s claim given the intensity of the blast and the recent wave of terror attacks across the country.

https://twitter.com/shehryar_taseer/status/834676657625653251

When former Punjab governor Slaman Taseer’s son Shehryar Taseer tweeted that a blast had struck Lahore, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s daughter Aseefa Zardari wondered why the provincial government still insisted that it was a generator blast. “Govt of Punjab still thinks it’s a generator,” she tweeted.

Cc @GovtOfPunjab still think its a generator ? https://t.co/auTtS725ku

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) February 23, 2017

To this, the official Twitter account of the Punjab government slammed Aseefa for playing politics with the tragedy. “Madam, can we keep politics out for a while please? Kindly check our timeline to see all updates instead of quoting out of context. Thanks!” it advised daughter of the former president.

Madam, can we keep politics out for a while please ? Kindly check our timeline to see all updates instead of quoting out of context. Thanks! https://t.co/qFCtGPJn2L

— Punjab 2013-18 (@Punjab13to18) February 23, 2017

The reply didn't stop Aseefa from doubling down on her attack on the Punjab government as she immediately accused it of funding terrorists.

Perhaps Govt of Punjab should stop playing politics & funding terrorist activities from Muirdke. Patronising https://t.co/a4b0O5Pcr9

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) February 23, 2017

Here’s how others reacted to the incident:

I strongly condemn the blasts in #Lahore and express my deepest grief on loss of precious lives.

— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) February 23, 2017

Stay safe #Lahore. Thoughts&prayers. It is yet another security/intel failure. All responsible should be held to account. #LahoreBlast

— Bushra Gohar (@BushraGohar) February 23, 2017

8-10 KG explosive material used in #Defence area blast with a time device ..

— MNA (@Engr_Naveed111) February 23, 2017

https://twitter.com/Mashriki_Larki/status/834685784108236800

are these bomb blasts some indications for Judges??? #Panama #lahore

— Moaz (@moaztahir22) February 23, 2017

https://twitter.com/anwer_the/status/834685450296111104

Blast in Defence #Lahore 4 dead and several injured.. Ya Rabb Rehm! #LahoreBlast

— Dr Bushra Iqbal🇵🇰 (@DrBushraIqbal) February 23, 2017

https://twitter.com/neelisays/status/834685981886447616

So blast in defence, round of applause for our security system.

— Zoya (@iZoookaay) February 23, 2017