PM Imran's praise of CM Buzdar on 'photo with villagers' stirs social media debate

Prime minister has also called the Punjab chief minister as 'Wasim Akram Plus' in one of his speeches

Prime Minister Imran Khan has constantly been criticised for the nomination of Sardar Usman Buzdar as chief minister of Punjab, which the former has often defended on social media and various other public forums.

The cricketer-turned-politician, who led the Pakistan cricket team to the World Cup victory in 1992, has even called Buzdar as "Wasim Akram Plus" in one of his speeches and expressed his optimism that the man from southern Punjab has all it takes to lead the province.

In the latest row, PM Imran is facing a mixed reaction on Twitter for praising CM Buzdar's recent meeting with villagers from remote areas of Punjab in a bid to resolve their long-pending grievances.

The premier termed the meeting as an exemplary act that signifies a new change in Pakistan aka "Naya Pakistan" and "a picture is worth more than a 1000 words".

This is Naya Pakistan. A picture is worth more than a 1000 words pic.twitter.com/IodLZkonBc

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 27, 2018

Tahreem Khan expressed her confidence in CM Buzdar, as she admires the chief minister's efforts in solving the problems of people from Dera Ghazi Khan.

Ever witness any CM with local people like this!? Here is Mr.Usman Buzdar solving the problems of people from DGK. There should be no status gap between us, May we witness that sort of Pakistan in times ahead! pic.twitter.com/wANshzJL5n

— Tahreem (@TahreemKhanP) December 26, 2018

Educationist Nausheen A Khan took a jibe at PM Imran's tweet and questioned what is "Naya" or "New" in this picture?

She further asked, "Shouldn't the CM be going to their doorstep?"

What’s ‘Naya’ in this picture @ImranKhanPTI ? sofa? tea cups? Or Mr Buzdar sitting with people who came all the way to get their problems solved? Shouldn’t the CM be going to their doorstep?

No need for 1000 words 1 word ‘Drama’ is enough@PTIofficial https://t.co/84yJ0BX8o8

— Nausheen A. Khan (@Nusho0) December 28, 2018

Shahzad Munir from Lahore asked why were people coming to meet CM? He further questioned, "Why weren't they entertained in their own constituency?"

What is this? Why did ppl have to come to meet CM especially, why weren't they entertained in their own constituency? We used to hate Showbaz Sharif n Buzdar seems one in the making

— Shahzad Munir (@shahzad_munir) December 28, 2018

Pakistani columnist and development practitioner Mosharraf Zaidi criticised the "anti-poverty strategy", calling the viral picture of CM Buzdar as "great optics for the mystery man from DG Khan."

Four months in, and the campaigning continues.

The anti poverty strategy for this government is in Khusro “Sugar Cousin” Bakhtiar and Riaz “PML Q” Fatyana’s hands.

But great optics for the mystery man from DG Khan. https://t.co/CSbwfMRNqq

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) December 27, 2018

Quaid-e-Azam University graduate, Sidrah Memon tweeted a picture of ex-Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif, who according to her "visited the poor" instead of inviting them into his lavish "drawing room in Punjab House".

Dear selected PM @ImranKhanPTI look this is Old Pakistan. A picture is worth more than a thousand words as Chief Minister visited the poor not invited them in his lavishing drawing room in Punjab House like selected Buzdar did pic.twitter.com/XbYeHrvfpq

— Sidrah Memon (@SidrahMemon1) December 27, 2018