Marriyum's beheading comment sparks uproar

Social media users highlight inherent dangers in using such rhetoric

A recent statement made by PML-N Secretary Information Marriyum Aurangzeb sparked outrage and condemnation on social media, with users urging the need to avoid divisive rhetoric in an already heated political landscape.

🚨🇵🇰PAKISTANI POLITICIAN WISHED IMRAN KHAN WAS DEAD

As tensions in Pakistan reach a fever pitch, Maryam Aurangzeb from the PNLM party said that Imran Khan and members of his PTI party should have been beheaded in 2014.

Source: @PTIofficial https://t.co/KIY5ejayoC pic.twitter.com/aTLSzDjbS3

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 17, 2024

Marriyum, during a press conference, said such anarchist, a reference PML-N leaders have repeatedly used for PTI founder Imran Khan, and other such anarchists should have been beheaded in 2014 when they staged a marathon sit-in in Islamabad in an attempt to topple a PML-N led government.

مریم اورنگزیب کا بیان کہ عمران خان کا "سر قلم" کر دینا چاہیے تھا جتنی بھی مذمت کی جائے کم ہے۔ اپنا نقطہ نظر ضرور بیان کریں لیکن ایسے تشدد پسند بیانات سے گریز کرنا چاہیے

— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) February 17, 2024

Kamran Yousaf, a senior journalist, took to social media to express his dismay over Marriyum's statement, emphasizing that violent rhetoric has no place in political discourse. He urged individuals to express their opinions without resorting to such inflammatory language.

یہ عورت کہہ رہی ہے کہ 2013 14 میں خان صاحب اور پی ٹی آئی والوں کا سر قلم کر دینا چاہیے تھا ؟؟
۔۔
ن لیگ ایک دہشت گرد جماعت ہے اور ان کا تعلق
“داعش” سے نھی نکل آیا۔۔
اس نمونے کو تو ویسے بھی پہلے کوئی دوائی سنگھاتے ہیں پھر PTI پر کھولتے ہیں ۔۔ pic.twitter.com/W2QA3HDE06

— Imran Afzal Raja (@ImranARaja1) February 17, 2024

Read also: PTI dead set on ‘May 9 agenda’: Marriyum

Imran Afzal Raja, a social media commentator, denounced the remarks, labeling the PML-N as a "terrorist party" and questioning the morality of advocating violence against political opponents.

Marriyum Aurangzeb is the representative of PMLN leadership’s brutal vengeance narrative. PMLN’s most vocal leadership, aka Maryam Nawaz, who’s named Imran Khan “fitna”, has repeatedly demanded the complete annihilation of Imran Khan fitna &severest punishments for his supporters https://t.co/QDzplv2tuB

— Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) February 17, 2024

Mehr Tarar, a senior journalist, condemned the PML-N's leadership for promoting a narrative of "brutal vengeance." She asserted that such rhetoric represented a moral and political defeat for the party, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue and engagement.

Secretary of Information for the PMLN in Pakistan, surveying the party’s poor performance, offers some strategic reflection, arguing their mistake was not having Imran Khan “beheaded” 10 years ago pic.twitter.com/hkcwVmW6PU

— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) February 17, 2024

International voices also weighed in on the controversy, with Ryan Grim, an American journalist, highlighting the alarming nature of the comments. He emphasized the need for political parties to refrain from inciting violence and instead focus on constructive policy solutions.

Maryam Aurangzeb said that Imran Khan and PTI people should’ve been beheaded in 2014

What the actual **** pic.twitter.com/9KtV0JSba8

— Virk Shahzaib (@VirkSh786) February 17, 2024

Virk Shahzaib, echoing the sentiments of many, expressed shock and disbelief at Marriyum's call for violence, describing it as criminal and dangerous.

Sectetary Information of PMLN, a mafia party, is openly calling for beheading of former Prime Minister, @ImranKhanPTI in press conference !

We understand that she is frustrated as the people of Pakistan have overwhelmingly rejected their dirty politics and did not vote for them,… pic.twitter.com/X06vFYPGxf

— Jehanzeb Paracha (@JehanzebParacha) February 17, 2024

Jehanzeb Paracha, in a scathing rebuke of the PML-N, accused the party of promoting a "mafia" mentality and condemned Aurangzeb's remarks as unacceptable and reckless.

As messy as this country is, I want to apologise to the world on behalf of Maryam Aurangzeb. She, nor her party, represent Pakistanis in general.
In actuality, they did not win more than 17 National Assembly seats. https://t.co/xKdLqC1fEv

— Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) February 17, 2024

 

The uproar over the PML-N leader's statement has reignited debates about the need for responsible and respectful political discourse in Pakistan.

Multiple times, Maryam Aurangzeb threatened Imran Khan live on national media. Now, how Khan will be safe in Adiala jail when they come to govt? pic.twitter.com/FCHiywjB6L

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) February 17, 2024

Critics argue that violent rhetoric not only undermines democratic principles but also fosters a culture of intolerance and division.

A frequent visitor to UK, who most probably hold properties & assets in Europe & UK as well, is calling for beheading of #ImranKhan & his followers on National TV "LIVE". Do you still want her to come back to England ? @RishiSunak @HouseofCommons @UKHouseofLords @WFD_Democracy pic.twitter.com/PUH4TOYkeH

— Dr Shireen Bangash (@syasitweets) February 17, 2024

Maryam Aurangzeb openly threatens Imran Khan and his supporters but guess what no legal action is gonna be taken against this odious woman! Absolutely disgusting & shameful.

pic.twitter.com/Otxm2gouuV

— Amal Kamal (@AmalSyed1) February 17, 2024

Maryam Aurangzeb openly saying that Imran Khan and PTI people should’ve been beheaded in 2014

Imrankhan 💖 pic.twitter.com/X4Kpan6SMN

— Muhammad Afzal (@afzl_11) February 18, 2024