The coronavirus threatens the survival of the world as we know it. But some people just can’t stop being their petty selves even as world leaders try to address this crisis head-on. This was the case recently when Prime Minister Imran Khan made an appeal for rich creditors to give debt relief to poor countries, during a cabinet meeting. Some people took offence to the fact that he made this appeal…. while wearing ‘PJs.’
So if you are curious what our PM was wearing, and why the attempts to mock his attire are in bad taste, read on.
The Controversy
Some members of Pakistani Twitter, who mostly belong to privileged and liberal backgrounds themselves, were collectively judging and trolling the Prime Minister Imran Khan for his choice of clothing.
https://twitter.com/aimaMK/status/1249360226429566981?s=20
https://twitter.com/cyalm/status/1249354934014873600?s=20
بین الاقوامی سربراہان ہوں یا اپنی قوم اور کابینہ، عمران خان سب کو ایک ہی ٹریک سوٹ سے ہانکتے ہیں۔ یہ ہوتا ہے قائد۔ اس کو کہتے ہیں خاص انداز جو دنیا کا کوئی لیڈر نہیں اپنا سکتا۔ pic.twitter.com/BE5owNo5c7
— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) April 12, 2020
While politicians in Pakistan are seldom evaluated based on the standard benchmark for leaders all-round, the fixation on clothing in the current crisis is in poor taste.
Case in point, when a western leader does it, it’s all cool. Except when its a politician you hate.
https://twitter.com/Le_Sabre54/status/1249402240315674627?s=20
Examples include:
Dominic Cummings says "we need PJ Masks on the job"
Asked for his response to the government's decision to go ahead with HS2, the PM's senior adviser channels the crime-fighting superheroes and says: "The night time is the right time to fight crime"https://t.co/62QwKDsUwN pic.twitter.com/2nw0PAZiV7
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) February 11, 2020
And here’s Jacinda Ardern doing the same:
"Break the chain and you'll save lives."
New Zealand PM @jacindaardern hosted a #COVID19 Q&A from home after putting her daughter to bed as the country went into lockdown #StayHomeNZ #NewZealandLockdown pic.twitter.com/748iH6rPDw
— Bloomberg Originals (@bbgoriginals) March 26, 2020
What was Imran Khan wearing?
For the fashion-conscious among us, we had entirely other questions. Apparently, the Prime Minister was wearing a Ralph Lauren pullover.
https://twitter.com/Mahim_Maher/status/1249565827965296642?s=09
ALSO READ
Netizens Troll Shahbaz Sharif Over Gaming Laptop
Soon enough the brand and price-tag were brought up and the trolls came out of the woodwork.
Whats the point in telling brand/price ?
— Umer (@MalekShake) April 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/gabeeno/status/1249573767329779712
It’s odd how we’ll go all out praising former Iranian president Ahmedinejad for dressing like it’s casual Friday at the office every day. Yet the hashtag #ImranFailedPakistan started trending on Pakistani Twitter over Imran Khan’s clothing choices.
We get it. Some people hate the political choices Imran has made over the course of his rule. There are million other reasons to criticize him for. But over clothing? Surely we can do better than come off as a frustrated gossip aunty.
It’s on Sale!
Did anyone even stop to consider maybe he bought it on sale? Ok maybe we can grab ourselves this ‘tracksuit.’
“There the same damn look! They’re the same damn look!”
There were even ideas to re-create an affordable version of the look.
https://twitter.com/ejopinion/status/1249566215300923392
Others took the situation as they should, light-heartedly and even shared a laugh.
https://twitter.com/Mahim_Maher/status/1249566803715645442
ALSO READ
Here’s How Imran Khan’s Style Has Evolved Over the Years [Pictures]
It wasn’t all bad. Some netizens came out to support Imran Khan’s fashion choices.
Anyone can…. However being PM there are some responsibility which he has to take seriously. Still he can do what he want but others don't take is seriously. We are not on giving end but receiving end.
— Hanif Vertejee (@Hanif98005542) April 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/UmarShabir11/status/1249409244706877444
Guys #ImranKhan is wearing a sweater. I know because I have one too. Also stop obsessing over appearances. We are literally going through a pandemic pic.twitter.com/QSnedMaWOp
— RÂK 🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@rajamsdale) April 13, 2020
Tiger at bani gala inshallah tiger you will win this fight pictures of the day.😘#ImranKhan #COVID__19 pic.twitter.com/Y6ymp5EsW3
— Imran Khan Prime Minister Of Pakistan FANS (@KhanMinister) April 12, 2020
If Modi steals the spotlight for wearing a suit with his name all over it, we can cut Imran Khan some slack over his casual clothing choices. After all, like Derek Zoolander said;
“I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking.”
He is looking handsome.
Love for IK
Whatever he wears suits him. Pl come out of complexes. The only thing which matter is sincerity to the cause which he has. That’s enough for a leader. Whatever he wears become fashion and trend.
I can’t understand, why some of these empty-headed people who have nothing better to do, but tweet about our Prime Minister’s clothing. Does it really burn you all to face the fact that we have a dashing Prime Minister. What about the Canadian Prime Minister? I don’t his country men critising his clothing.
He nailed it.The best coolest PM of Pakistan.The people who are talking crap about him just some bunch of illiterate hypocrites..