Twitter alert: Asma Jahangir a target for defamation
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf supporters and workers have been known to lash out at political opponents or rather anyone for speaking against their party or chief Imran Khan.
Their current victim? Prominent lawyer, human rights activist, ex-Supreme Court Bar Association president and former UN rapporteur, Asma Jahangir.
The News had earlier today reported that Jahangir had termed the Arsalan Iftikhar case a conspiracy against the judges. The report quotes Jahangir as stating that the motive behind bringing up the case was to “wrap up” the democratic setup and to “threaten” the judiciary.
The icing on the cake? She was quoted as saying that the PTI were conspirators in this.
The senior lawyer, who has in the recent past represented former Pakistan ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani in the Memogate scandal, is a known outspoken advocate for the rights of women, minorities and others. Additionally, she is also a vocal critic of the military and its “control” of the civilian government.
Jahangir’s stances on numerous issues have often resulted in people terming them as conspiracy theories.
Her recent statement also struck a similar note, unleashing the #BongisLikeAsmaJehangir trend.
PTI well-wishers, supporters (and trolls) were clearly upset with the allegations leveled against their party:
Shoaib Khan @5hobi
so Asma is against anything positive in#pakistan her antijudiciary stance is quite well known, now anti #PTI
imran waseem @imranwaseem
#BongisLikeAsmaJehangir no one asked us to start this trend, this is the sponatneous reply to nonsense statements from her
Nimrah Anwar Khan @NimraahhKhan
#PTI was behind Gandhi JEE's death! #BongisLikeAsmaJehangir
The tweets did not just stop there, some even resorted to personal attacks against her:
Shoaib Khan @5hobi
oh!!! I have a couple of new grey hair in my head!!! Conspiracy by #PTI
Jawad @Jawad1_
My husband and all my kids are becoming Imran Khan fans, must be a conspiracy by those who founded PTI.
farzan ali baloch @farzan_ali_13
Food poisining :(( , i fired my maid cuuz she was isi and pti agent !!
And some continued to defend their party and tried to be funny at the same time:
moonlight @PkLion01
Messi is the number one footballer right now, this is due to those who created PTI :D #BongisLikeAsmaJehangir
Shahi Rome @shahi_rome
Twitter has limit of 140 characters,hw can i describe my character in it,i blame PTI.ban Pti! #BongisLikeAsmaJehangir
moonlight @PkLion01
Earth revolves around the Sun, This is conspiracy of PTI :D#BongisLikeAsmaJehangir
Ali @Alifaruq
#BongisLikeAsmaJehangir is trending and most of the people tweeting it are PTI walas.
Zakota @ZakotaJinn
#PTI hackers have deleted Recyling Bin of my computer.#BongisLikeAsmaJehangir
imran waseem @imranwaseem
who is trending that ? yes we are trending, we reject nonsense from Asma
Yasir @TheRealLahori
I was in HC bar room today- the tea wasn't good- I smell a PTI conspiracy !!
Saeed Khan @Hsaeed_khan
RAJA RENTAL became PM bcoz of PTI #BongisLikeAsmaJehangir
PTI Rocks @PTI_tsunami
#BongisLikeAsmaJehangir Martians have hatched a plot to eliminate me, but I will fight them... even on other planets.
Ali Adnan @addali00
like this trend now on top :) PTI rocks
Aftab_♥_PTI @A_h_Aftab
#BongisLikeAsmaJehangir#PTI is Pro Taliban
Syed Faizan Jawaid @Syedfaixan
Why #BongisLikeAsmaJehangir trending in #Pakistan ?? I guess she said something against #PTI
Naveed @naveedpti
#BongisLikeAsmaJehangir Global recession is a conspiracy by PTI founding members
Shahmeer Khan @DaDemagogue
@saleem_ali sir ur take on #BongisLikeAsmaJehangir? public reaction to her accusations against PTI.
COMMENTS (80)
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@Acorn Guts: ur vote wz never for pti and what do u expect from pti withouttt any evidenceeeee without any any any single evidence few people (having personal grudges against pti cuz they just like old parties) speaking all nonsense against them ... wud like to ask what wud b pti's reaction on this baseless allegation from asma jahangir against them .. all the time she needs an excuse to bash pti with anything concrete.... does she have any evidence to it ... someone needs to put a full stop and we the isf tigers wont allow anybody to defame us this timeee .. enough is enough we have waited wholeeeee lifeee for this change and now tht our time is near we wont allow any supporter of tht corrupt historical political mafia supporter let by .. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
After reading all the posts, one concludes that Asma Jahangir is very critical to Army's role in politics. Now all those factions of the society who are in love with Pak Army, they criticize Asma and some of them rather exaggerate and target Asma as agent of India and the West.
It is said that recent defaming acts of judiciary (Malik Riaz Case) was a conspiracy basically supported by the Military Establishment. Now Asma knows this much more than us and she sees PTI's role in this conspiracy as well.
PTI supporter's love for Pak Army and hatred for Asma shows that they don't like Asma criticizing Army's role in politics. An unbiased person can see here a good connection between Military Establishment and PTI.
First of all, AJ MAY have been all that the scribe claims she is, but to date, what has or have been her services on merit for the nation? What has or have been her achievements till date? When you are through finding an answer, think about how she shot to so much fame and influence? As for the reaction as depicted and conveyed in this article, the ET seems to be bitten by something....REALITY perhaps?????
Hahaha, gotta love these "PTI walas", good response to Asma's ridiculous statements
No matter , what you say .. we will still vote for PTI this time ...
Asma is among the few voices of sanity. There's no doubt she has been with PPP, the most corrupt and incompetent party now... as for UK he is also trying to compete with PPP since lots of bad eggs are falling into its basket. Since Asks is the only one trying to raise fingers at those who have degenerated Pak as of today, she needs to be applauded...
This is absolutely correct done by PTI supporters.. Every body has freedom of speech so as ASMA have this freedom.. Asma is no one to target PTI for any mess in country which has nothing todo with PTI, PTI never came to power or any role in governance...As now PTI is the only hope for this nation and anti nationalist forces of pakistan are now targeting the party which is giving hopes to masses... We all will defend PTI and will also go on offence any one who is with this status Qou System.. Including this Asma Jahangir... one of the biggest traitor of country..
@mystreeman: healthy discussion is always welcomed but not the nonsense, talk sense and get sense,see for your self what nonsense is the statement
no matter what you guys say pti rocks
I seriously failed to understand where etribune was when hashtags like #Iftikharmental and #CJPteraSuoMotoKahanTha were trending in Pakistan. Please let me know the new definition of hypocrisy if changed!
When Asma Jahangir criticises PTI its freedom of speech, when PTI criticise her its a lack of tolerance.
I must say SAFMA has so much influence in Pakistani newspapers
LOL, I liked comment of Mr. @Syedfaixan.
ET how do you know it was created by PTI supporters..
@Acorn Guts: Ok. Lets be hopeful that the 'somewhere else' you plan to vote is not PPP or PML n
I am not a supporter of PTI but I don't see any bad things stated on these tweets. By the way every known personality is subject to such comments etc. It is very natural. Come on ET!
@mystream lol at ur comment. You use such strong words like "terror" for these funny tweets launched by PTI supporters-when all this is part of democracy. I don't see anytHing which actually personally abuses or personally defames Asma Jahangir. I thought the tweets were funny and should be enjoyed. BTW I really like Asma Jahngir, have been her fan..(even now) even though she is anti-PTI and I support PTI. I wish she understands and starts supporting PTI.
Bash PTI = Freedom of Speech Criticise Asma Jahangir = BLASPHEMY !!!!
Wow on you crew's minds.
Once Nawaz Sharif attacked judiciary, today Asma Jahangir is attacking judiciary.
Everyone KNOWS Asma Jahangir is out to get Judiciary.
Its totally sick the way PTI trolls are trying to defame the bold and courageous lady Asma Jehangir. PTI after 25th December last year reached at the top of its fame but then there was a sharp decline due to two reasons, Gen. Pasha's retirement and the cheap attitude of PTI Cyber bullies. All the sensible persons of Pakistan are with Asma Jehangir and condemn the rude behavior of PTi cyber bullies
LMAO! PTI supporters have the best sense of humour so Far!
Public figures need to know that these kids are literally general voices of people all around us. Today, if these are supporting PTI, tomorrow they can turn against PTI as well.
This youth rising was also missed by Egypt mainstream media before Tahrir Square. Welcome to the Social Media in real essence.
The word "defamation" is too strong to apply at this particular instance. The nuances of expressions could very well undermine the impartiality of a news source. You should remain impartial and report the event.
In the face of it, such kind of glorification, quoted above, gives your story an explicit slant when you trivialize an actual instance of "defamation" by reporting it in a lighter note as follows:
They have started dirty games before coming to power God forbid what what will happen IF they get powerasma is against the CJ. against judiciary. Against the Pakistan army and intelligence. Against the one and only man who is the beacon of hope for young pakistan'is.
Please asma, for heaven's sake leave PTI ALONE!!!
@Acorn Guts: Loosing votes because his supporters and not himself happen to criticize ? It tells more about the peoples who based their idea of PTI on such trivial issues than PTI itself to be honest, and Nusrat Javed calls him "Adolph Khan" whereas Imran Khan never verbally attacked (or get bothered by) NJ.
PTI Supporters:
We are striving hard for bringing the REVOLUTION. We will have to face the criticism. Be ready and be patient. Don't get disheartened. Face it and learn from it. We will have to get united for Pakistan.
I request all PTI supporters to please show tolerance if people (voters) are to be convinced to support PTI.
PTI Zindabad - PAKISTAN PAAINDABAD
@mystreeman Every heard of a word moderator who are in the majority in Pakistan and I was addressing to liberals.
liberal = extremist
A biased judgement passed against PTI. PTI Guys are ready to face allegation s and all sorts of criticism. But not sweeping statements. If she has proof she shud bring them out. Otherwise saying our hard work a sponsorship is discusting. We are the supporters who have raised this party into a Giant and a threat to all Status Quo. We would not allow Nusrat Javed and Asma Jehangir kind of people to put us down. If they can use their medium againt party, why can't we use twitter?
To all you IK haters, why is it that if you criticize Imran Khan it is "freedom of expression" but Imran's supporters hit back it is "terror" / "fascism" etc.?
IK is a spent force even before his innings start,
PTI folks are just amazing! It wasn't Asma who made the allegation but Hamid Khan who got her banned from a number of bars calling her a black sheep who is part of conspiracy to discredit judiciary. Asma merely retorted that it's probably a PTI conspiracy and not hers because Hamid Khan was the lawyer for Bahria town until the scandal came in limelight.
Criticizing Asma J is really very shameful & shows the real colors of PTI! No wonder everybody says that PTI is establishment party.
@Zeeshan Sheikh: If every other person is not extremist and may be a liberal then to whom your comment is addressed?
She didn’t say that PTI did this, but those who created PTI did this i.e. intelligence agencies. Malik Riaz is close to the army and has 11 generals in his town management including retired ISI chief. So what’s wrong in her statement?
Don't cry liberals. It just words deal with it and have some tolerance.
Liberal thinks only they have the right to freedom of speech and every other person is extremist.
This is non-sense from ET. How do they know that they are PTI supporters? I can create 100 fake IDs in a day and say all nasty things against anyone and then claim to be a PPP supporter. ET in non-sense at their best.
@Anon..: Its not malfunctioning of PPP govt. PPP govt was not allowed to function from the inception. An order was issued directing the ISI to report to the interior ministry. But the Army made a hue and cry resulting in the reversal of the order. Amendments for appointment and dismissal of higher judiciary by the govt thru NA was stalled and major amendments were reversed. Not even a single economic reform was allowed to be carried out. List will go on. In all these actions the opposition did not help the govt. If it is the case how can the govt run its business. In all other democracies, whether right or wrong the govt was allowed to function and at the end of the term people will decide the fate of govt. That is not the case in Pakistan. Not only that opposition does not have the patience to wait for the next election. It wants others like Judiciary and Army to remove the govt. In a democracy people are supreme and they should have the power to remove their elected govt. I do not know when will such things happen in Pakistan?
So criticizing a public figure like Asma Jahangir is defamation? She can go around making accusations against the army, political parties, religious leaders and Pakistanis in general...but point the finger at her and it becomes a conspiratorial hate crime and defamation. Cmon...stop the double standards....if she can dish it out, she should be willing to take it too.
opponent bashing by PTI is reflective of the anger built up in youth today.. PTI supporters are just not willing to let anything (even if it is absolutely rational) come in between IK and PM seat... those criticizing PTI fans should also look at Asma Jahangir's behavior... she's also very rude and highly obstinate in her views, she just met her long-lost twin in PTI supporters..
Asma’s struggle on human rights, with special reference to minorities and women are really commendable. She is an asset for the nation. When ever she brings out some point it always had a weight. Instead of getting sentimental try to evaluate what she has said. Pre-mature jumping to draw conclusions will not benefit. Wait and with in couple of days conspiracy theories will be out. One for the constitutional amendments by the politicians to impeach CJ of SC in the senate and other one by apex courts to keep on convicting at least two more PMs of Pakistan. Who all are involved in these will be very uncomfortable for many of you.
@mystreeman: No dear.. You will be allowed to speak as much as you want if IK and PTI takes wrong decisions while being in government as the ultimate aim is the welfare of Pakistan, but blaming PTI for every woes at the moment, when it is not even in the government, is just pathetic!!!!
Lolz... What is wrong in giving a reply???... I agree that the reply should be made by being in limits, but no way you guys can stop us from replying to those who points their fingers on us and levels baseless allegations on us!!!!
the more PTI becomes a viable options, the more of these shoshas will surface....purely nonsensical!
The only question we need to ask Asma is....proof please!
And if people get offended by a few tweets, they should get off twitter :)
Come on ET you can do better than print this as news??!! We already know you guys are pro-Zardari and Anti-PTI but must you guys rub it in?? GROW UP ET
If you make nonsensical comments you are likely to be ridiculed. Difference of opinion should be tolerated but no such gaurantee for baseless and nonsense.
Pit zindabad
These PTI trolls are really really vile. Imagine badmouthing a brave woman like Asma who has all her life fought for human rights, going to jail so many times. The funniest was seeing Shireen Mazari also indulging in mudslinging on Asma. Did Asma ever work for military dictators like Shireen?
If people criticize PTI, its freedom of speech. If PTI supporters respond, its terrorism and defamation. LOL.
Most of the tweets are just kiddy jokes... is it really defamation to tweet silly one-liners?
Really ET? Really???
@Acorn Guts
if you believe that we have problems, then IK is the only solution.
Once again, PTI's only "problem" is the amount of its supporters : you can't call all PTI fans "trolls" because some on Twitter do a massive-bashing of someone and honestly Asma Jehangir is a bit guilty too in that case, she's the first to (rightfully so) blast the "conspiracy theories" but to say that "the creators" (as if they were from some remote part of the galaxy) of PTI are against the SC is a joke.
And BTW I knew that ET would publish a defence of AJ really soon, thanks to some Tweets. :P
Freedom of speech ET?
Asma's stance and efforts on human rights are really commendable. She is an asset for the nation. However, she is off the mark on this one. If PTI was in cahoots with anti-democratic forces, it won't have stood with Judiciary and bashed Riaz Malik. On top of it, why would PTI be against democracy at a time when they themselves are expecting to get a significant mandate in polls? This assumption of hers simply doesn't stand the litmus test of rational behavior.
and its not only Asma, Nusrat Javed of express group has been tolerating these cyber bullies for months now. This needs to stop right now .. you lot are doing nothing but losing votes for your dear IK.
ET showing its true colors.
Good going PTI supporters (no doubt there are a quite a few over here too) I am 26 (youngish) and I used to believe that IK is answer to our problems .. but thank to you .. I'd rather not that IK empowers you lot when he says he'll empower the youth and I'd rather not have representatives like you take the reigns of my country. My vote that used to be for PTI will be going somewhere else.
Why the hypocrisy? When Asma Jahangir criticises PTI its freedom of speech, when PTI criticise her its a lack of tolerance.
@mystreeman What about Asma. How low she can go? Not heard a single sentence from her in favour of Pakistan!
Etribune Web Desk has way too much free time on their hands to write about such stuff. What a waste of space.
The trolls should be ignored.Used to respect asma when she seemed like a human rights activist but over the last few years her tone has become more vindictive,biased.She seems to want to drag the military into everything negative that happens in pakistan.She should critique the military when it's at fault but accusations just for the sake of accusations and a personal vendetta have reduced her credibility of being even handed and fair in her statements. i guess very few people can get above their personal vendettas and prejudices.
Every action has reaction.Good action has good reaction and vice versa
its not defamation, everyone knows Asma is out for the judiciary! She doesnt criticise the malfunctioning PPP as much as she criticises CJP.
What is this nonsense, how low PTI supporters can go? will we live in a terror of not speaking agaionst PTI and Khan if PTI come in power?