ISLAMABAD: Ever since news reports began emerging earlier this year that Pakistan’s jailed former three-time Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, was suffering from serious health problems, a great deal of debate and skepticism on social media followed.
The 69-year-old, who heads his family’s political dynasty in Pakistan’s largest Punjab province, was disqualified from prime ministership in 2017 on corruption charges and is currently out on medical bail while serving a seven-year prison sentence.
But last week, when the Lahore High Court gave Sharif almost unconditional permission to leave the country for a period of at least four weeks, Pakistani Twitter became alight with divided opinions.
Suddenly, Nawaz Sharif was the top trend for Pakistan, and buzzwords associated with his departure including “airbus” and “London” followed suit.
At the same time, a photo of Nawaz Sharif showed the former Prime Minister ready to fly in a repurposed, luxurious jet, a bowl of grapes laid out before him. For those in Pakistan who view him as a criminal-- and there are many-- the image provoked negative reactions.
“If you're wondering what an air ambulance looks like from the inside,” tweeted hotelier Azam Jamil to his over 20,000 followers, alongside photos of the private jet Qatar Airways sent for Sharif, and one that Sharif’s own party members downplayed by referring to as an “air ambulance.”
Jamil’s tweet has been ‘liked’ over a thousand times.
If you're wondering what an air ambulance looks like from the inside. pic.twitter.com/5NiYatNA40
— Azam Jamil (@AzamJamil53) November 19, 2019
Journalist Ali Salman Alvi shared a similar photo, using heavy doses of sarcasm to mock the private jet amenities available to the former premier.
“Life-saving drugs, sorry I mean, a few bunches of grapes are placed right in front of the critically ill #NawazSharif so that the dose could be immediately administered in case of any emergency,” he tweeted.
Life-saving drugs, sorry I mean, a few bunches of grape are placed right in front of the critically-ill #NawazSharif so that the dose could be immediately administered in case of any emergency. pic.twitter.com/A8USkNQbKH
— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) November 19, 2019
Though some comments were in jest, others like one from PTI minister Ali Haider Zaidi were a lot more unforgiving. Zaidi tweeted an attached video of the former PM walking in London, and called for Francis Ford Coppola, director of the classic series “The Godfather,” to work on a film about the Sharifs, effectively comparing them to the mob.
Followed up by his writing was the prayer ending in May the wrath of Allah falls on all those who have looted Pakistan.”
Nawaz Shareef reached his house in London.
He's been suffering from platelets fall & many heart attacks but he seems fit & fat. He's able to walk without any support.
What kind of illness is it?
Come on #PMLN, accept this political face saving.#باغی_ہوں_ایسے_نظام_کا pic.twitter.com/bMquqlk2xj— Abdul Raheem (@Me_AbdulR) November 19, 2019
Sharing a video with Sharif entering an elevator, Twitter user Abdul Raheem tweeted out his confusion over the status of Sharif’s health: “What kind of illness is it? Come on #PMLN, accept this as political face-saving,” he wrote.
Francis Ford Coppola who wrote the GodFather should do a film on the Sharif Family of Pakistan.
May Allah bless all who fight & struggle for this great country & it’s people.
May the Wrath of Allah fall on all those who have looted Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/k4A5pIZM83— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) November 20, 2019
But not all who tweeted had sole skepticism to share. Sharif was greeted by an excited crowd in London with footage that has been captured and shared across social media, with one user sharing his video of Sharif’s arrival in London with the simple words: “Main Sahib we love you.”
Main Shaib we Love you. Main Mohammad Nawaz Sharif arrived at London pic.twitter.com/8PiX6bnnAl
— Rashid Hashmi (@RashidHashmis) November 19, 2019
Earlier this week Fawad Chaudhry told Arab News in an exclusive interview that he was unhappy about Sharif’s departure.
“I believe that this was an unfortunate decision as Nawaz Sharif should have been dealt with like any other criminal,” he said.
