Outrage erupted on social media on Monday after a video surfaced showing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hina Pervaiz Butt being heckled in London along with her son, drawing vehement condemnations from journalists and politicians alike.
The incident came to the fore after, in the video shared on Twitter, the PML-N leader expressed her concerns about the alarming extent to which PTI members had resorted to physical attacks and offensive language.
She described the incident as an assault on her and expressed gratitude for the lessons in patience and civility taught by her leader Nawaz Sharif.
The video footage, which quickly spread across various social media platforms, drew reactions from both political supporters and critics.
One clip showed a man hurling expletives at Butt, while another showed multiple individuals chasing her and her son outside a currency exchange outlet, accusing them of stealing the country's money.
پی ٹی آئی کے بدتمیز اور بدتہذیب لوگ اس حد تک گر گئے ہیں کہ لندن میں میرے بیٹے کے سامنے مجھ پر حملہ کیا، مجھ پر بوتلیں پھینکیں اور گندی گالیاں دیں۔ کیا یہ بد تہذیب لوگ ایسی حرکات کر کے پاکستان کا نام روشن کر رہے ہیں یا بدنام کر رہے ہیں؟ اللہ کا شکر ہے میرے لیڈر نواز شریف نے ہمیشہ… pic.twitter.com/AQri5sxB86
— Hina Parvez Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) August 13, 2023
Former PTI leader Shireen Mazari strongly condemned the abuse and attack against Butt, highlighting the unacceptability of such behaviour towards women.
Recalling the previous incidents of PML-N leader Khawaja Asif using sexist language against women, she said no one should stoop to his level and of those who remained silent over his behaviour.
“Criticism is acceptable but abuse of women is always unacceptable,” she wrote on Twitter.
London needs your attention sir @MayorofLondon seems like it’s becoming a sanctuary of hooligans n loitering vagabonds
— Dr Humma Saif (@HummaSaif) August 14, 2023
Supporters of convicted politician @ImranKhanPTI are harassing n physically attacking respected lady rt in front of her minor son pic.twitter.com/1upFyAM0WA
PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal criticised the PTI supporters for their actions and accused party chief Imran Khan of spreading hatred. “This behaviour by PTI followers is becoming a source of mockery of the country abroad,” he said.
PML-N member Shaza Fatima Khawaja called for action against the hecklers to ensure the safety of all individuals in London. “There’s a difference between freedom of expression/ peaceful political protest and harassing/ attacking/ stalking people you don’t agree with.”
میرے ہم وطنوں کو بہت بہت جشن آزادی مبارک 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/ilAPhPyIQc
— Hina Parvez Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) August 13, 2023
Journalist Meher Bokhari questioned why Butt should face such behaviour when she had the right to support any political party of her choice, emphasising the need for basic etiquette, respect, and honour. “It is a loss for all of us,” she added.
“Will it be right to treat a PTI MPA in this manner? Absolutely not. And if that’s not right, why is this?” she added.
Journalist Raza Rumi said he was “sorry to see” the incident of heckling and asked Butt to report it to police. “These rowdy, misled individuals do not represent the majority of Pakistanis abroad,” he added.
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