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The rose-tinted glasses with which the nation viewed snowfall have been shattered in the wake of the Murree tragedy. At least 22 tourists have been confirmed dead after they were trapped in their vehicles at the tourist resort during a heavy snowstorm.
The Pakistan Army has deployed military personnel in an emergency evacuation of those stranded in the extreme weather. In light of this tragedy, politicians took to Twitter to express their views on the situation. Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted his condolences but phrased it in a manner that stirred criticism.
Shocked & upset at tragic deaths of tourists on road to Murree. Unprecedented snowfall & rush of ppl proceeding without checking weather conditions caught district admin unprepared. Have ordered inquiry & putting in place strong regulation to ensure prevention of such tragedies.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 8, 2022
Journalist Absa Komal remarked at how he seemed to be blaming the victims for their untimely deaths.
"Insensitive and shocking response, it is your administration’s failure, accept it at least! They could have easily taken preventive measures knowing that huge number of people were heading towards Murree."
Insensitive and shocking response, it is your administration’s failure, accept it atleast! They could have easily taken preventive measures knowing that huge number of people were heading towards Murree.
— Absa Komal (@AbsaKomal) January 8, 2022
Multi-media journalist, Javeria Siddique urged PM Imran Khan to not blame the victims.
Pls stop blaming tourists.
— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) January 8, 2022
غریب عوام دبئی لندن تو نہیں جاسکتے مری اور گلیات ہی جائیں گے نا
Freelance journalist Shehzad Naveed highlighted the government's lack of foresight to the dangers of heavy tourism.
Government is busy in promoting tourism in Pakistan but not ready to set some SOPs and facilities for the tourists.
— Shahzad Naveed (@ShahzadNvd) January 8, 2022
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice-President Maryam Nawaz blamed the government for their negligence, her comment was met with a flurry of criticism, with many calling her a hypocrite.
I have NEVER seen such chaos, apathy & incompetence & most importantly a government that has nothing to do with the misery of people. What’s most shocking though is not only the dismissive attitude but the contempt & scorn they pour on the victims.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) January 8, 2022
Morning show host, Sehar Shimwari, defended PM Imran in a reply to Maryam's tweet.
"Climate change happens over time. Imran Khan did not make it snow. In the time of your father, people did not even go to these areas. It is Imran Khan who promoted tourism and today thousands of people are coming to Pakistan from abroad.
ٹوکریوں والی صاحبہ وقت کے ساتھ ساتھ ماحولیاتی تبدیلیاں رونما ہوتی ہے۔ عمران خان نے برف باری خود نہیں کروائی۔ آپ کے ابو کے دور میں تو لوگ ان علاقوں میں جاتے بھی نہیں تھے۔ یہ تو عمران خان ہے جس نے سیاحت کو فروغ دیا اور آج باہر سے بھی ہزاروں لوگ پاکستان آرہے ہیں۔
— Sehar Shinwari (@SeharShinwari) January 8, 2022
Twitter user Mussadiq Niazi blamed Maryam Nawaz for using the situation to further her political motives.
This is not time of point scoring..please dont be callous
— Mussadiq Niazi (@MussadiqKNiazi) January 8, 2022
Freelance graphic designer, Shahmeen reminded Maryam Nawaz about the Lahore Model Town tragedy during the PMLN government.
Everything is not politics my dear … it’s not like people were killed with guns like the model town incident . This is a natural disaster and unforeseen very very sad event . #stoppoliticalscoring
— Shahmeen (@shahmeenislam) January 8, 2022
Leader of the Opposition, Shehbaz Sharif lashed out at PM Imran and claimed that the government "shirks" away from responsibility.
Imran Khan has made victim blaming the governing philosophy of his otherwise directionless government. There is always someone "responsible" for whatever goes wrong. A country of 220M people is being run by those whose default response is to shirk responsibility of their actions
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 8, 2022
Much like they did to Maryam, social media users reminded Shehbaz of the Lahore Model Town tragedy.
Kindly answer for the victims of model town first and than point fingers to others.
— Abbas (@Abbas1947Q) January 8, 2022
Social media user Faizan Janjua clapped back at Shehbaz Sharif's comments and emphasised the fact that he was using this tragic situation for his own political gain.
I still remember how you shut the mike on the guy whose daughter was raped & killed in Kasur so shutup and stop doing politics over this horrific tragedy.
— Faizan Janjua (@distantblips) January 8, 2022
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