Ill-timed poetry critical of PM Imran raises eyebrows in Dushanbe

Indus University VC started cticising premier and his government through poetic verses during a business seminar

KARACHI:

The business community delegation, which accompanied Prime Minister Imran Khan on the two-day visit to Tajikistan, has denounced the inappropriate act of one its members who criticised the premier with his ill-timed poetry during a bilateral business seminar in Dushanbe.

Khalid Amin, who is vice chancellor of Indus University and part of the Pakistani businessmen delegation, during question and answer session of Pakistan-Tajikistan Business Forum in Dushanbe started reciting poetry critical of PM Imran and his government.

کون ہے یہ گستاخ؟
ایک تو شعر بے مروتی پہ پڑھا اور ساتھ میں یہ بھی کہ دیا کہ “ عمران بھائ اپ تو اب قیدی ہو گئے ہیں۰۰۰ کن لوگوں کے چکر میں آگئے”

ایک مصرع ہمیں بھی یاد آ گیا @i_m_nbc

اتنے مانوس صیاد سے ہو گئے، اب رہائی ملے گی تو مر جائیں گے pic.twitter.com/ciTrkxfole

— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) September 17, 2021

His act created an awkward situation at the event with PM Imran interrupting him, saying discuss only business related matters and poetry session can follow later.

Business leaders including Patron Chief of Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA) Waheed Ahmed also demanded carrying out an inquiry as to how Amin was made part of the delegation.

The PFVA chief also condemned his act on Twitter and announced his disassociation with the Indus University VC.

پاکستان تاجکستان بزنس فورم میں پاکستانی تجارتی وفد میں شامل ایک رکن کی جانب سے موقع محل کو نظر انداز کرتے ہوئے کی جانے والی شاعری قابل مذمت ہے۔ افغانستان اور خطے کی بدلتی صورتحال اور پاکستان کے لیے پیدا ہونے والے نئے چیلنجز اور امکانات کے پیش نظراس طرح کے انتہائی اہمیت کے حامل1/3 pic.twitter.com/IV7Qf71Ozt

— Waheed Ahmed (@waheedAmed) September 17, 2021

He said that the delegates and hosts of the seminar were also taken aback by the inappropriate act that turned the business forum environment unpleasant.

Prime Minister Imran however immediately intervened and diverted the audience’s attention towards economic and trade related matters.

Ahmed said that all the members of the business community who participated in the event expressed their displeasure and condemned the callous behaviour.

The members of business community have urged the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant departments to carry out background check including examining political affiliation before selecting delegates for international trips.

“At a time when change in Afghanistan is opening up new possibilities for Pakistan in the region, especially in the Central Asian states, the behaviour of Khalid Amin has given a very bad impression,” the PFVA chief tweeted.