KARACHI: Special Assistant on Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill is facing criticism over his comments on PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto wearing a mask made of ‘Ajrak’ pattern – a traditional block-printed Sindhi style.
While speaking on a private news channel, Shahbaz Gill said, “I had heard about playing the provincial card, but this time Bilawal is playing the provincial mask.”
The Special Assistant later compared Bilawal Bhutto to calves in villages having old cloths tied around their mouths to stop them from drinking too much milk.
His comparison sparked social media outrage. Users, especially PPP leaders, took to Twitter to condemn Gill’s remarks and share pictures of themselves wearing ajrak. They said that Ajrak is an integral part of Sindh’s culture and there’s nothing wrong with wearing a mask made of it.
In this regard, PPP MPA Sharmila Farooqi said, “Sindhi nationalist leader GM Syed, while presenting the Pakistan resolution in the Sindh Assembly was representing the voice of the Muslims, he wasn’t only representing Sindhi’s. This is our history our culture! Be proud of it.”
Gm syed while presenting the Pakistan resolution in the Sindh Assembly was representing the voice of the Muslims, he wasn’t only representing sindhi’s. This is our history our culture! Be proud of it! #AjrakIsOurPride pic.twitter.com/SsDHihQrxh
— Sharmila faruqi (@sharmilafaruqi) July 23, 2020
PPP MNA Nafisa Shah said, “Promote cultural identity, promote national pride. Those who ridicule culture are no less than racists.”
Promote cultural identity, promote national pride. Those who ridicule culture are no less than racists. #AjrakisOurPride pic.twitter.com/WkZDhw06Jg
— Nafisa Shah (@ShahNafisa) July 23, 2020
In a statement, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said, “Ajrak is not just the identity of Sindh, but also of the Indus Valley. It is the identity of Pakistan.”
Later, Gill posted a photo on Twitter wearing an Ajrak shawl and said, “Sindhi ajrak is the heir of a beautiful, centuries-old culture. Sindhi ajrak is a major part of Pakistan’s art and craft sector. Please do not use this beautiful thing for politics.”
سندھی اجرک سندھ کہ خوبصورت کلچر اور صدیوں پرانی ثقافت کی وارث ہے۔ سندھی اجرک پاکستان کہ آرٹ اور کرافٹ کا اہم ترین حصہ ہے۔ براہ کرم اس خوبصورت چیز کو اپنی سیاست کے لئے استعمال مت کریں۔
#AjrakIsOurPride pic.twitter.com/7oofyaFTNh
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) July 22, 2020
