The Federal government of Pakistan is being slammed for appointing singer Ali Zafar as the ambassador for Namal Knowledge City. The outrage comes as a result of alleged harassment claims against Ali Zafar, with many questioning whether he was the right choice at all.
Honoured to be nominated ambassador to the first & biggest knowledge city in Pakistan “Namal Knowledge City” envisioned by the honourable Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI designed by @tonyashai. Knowledge is key for the development of a country and its people. pic.twitter.com/ttQn4cuyA0
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 25, 2020
According to netizens, the backlash against the Teefa in Trouble actor is also due to concerns that he does not have the background to be representing an academic center.
Namal Knowledge City is an academic center for marginalized populations residing in remote areas of the country.
ALSO READ
IBA Cancels Atif Mian’s Lecture Over Internal Threats [Video]
Reactions to Ali Zafar appointment
Some netizens say that what does this have to say about the future of education in Pakistan?
The same week in which Atif Mian's talk was cancelled. Says alot about the state of education in our country. https://t.co/eXwdqkWoDA
— Rabia (@damselindupatta) October 25, 2020
Welcome to Islamic Republic of Pakistan where world renowned economist Atif Mian cannot address university students and alleged harasser Ali Zafar who has no academic credentials to his name is appointed academic ambassador at a university whose Founding Chair is the current PM.
— Aimun (@bluemagicboxes) October 26, 2020
Others talked about what kind of message this announcement sends to women.
Knowledge without Character is dangerous, so try to first build the Character of students…. Otherwise u r just building or making society dirty and filling with filthy people…
— Memon Shahid (@shhmemon24) October 25, 2020
A person who has been accused of harassment is now the ambassador of knowledge city. LOL https://t.co/BZp1hyLkbl
— ✨ (@goldrushh____) October 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/azadjami1/status/1320456316691820544?s=21
This is a clear message to women in Pakistan https://t.co/iX6QzQ2JAX
— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) October 26, 2020
This right here, is one of the gazillion reasons why Pakistan is not safe for women. And the cesspool of toxic patriarchy will never relent. That’s why, Pakistan se zinda bhaag! https://t.co/PiZSEtEc86
— Faizan (he/him) (@fizzyjam) October 26, 2020
How can you expect fair process for our women who speak up about sexual abuse when clueless PM sends this kind of message.
Ali Zafar has not won a harassment case. Ali zafar has not been cleared by any court. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. #FactsMatter #MeToo https://t.co/BwUfHQu8SS
— nehasaigol (@nehasaigol1) October 26, 2020
Some are calling out PM Khan for not appointing someone else who is free of controversy.
From time to time again, PM Imran Khan, with his actions (or the lack thereof)
has proven that he couldn’t care less about the women in this country. https://t.co/riWxy7k5bA— m (@meemelif) October 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/crackheadenerji/status/1320470598716448770?s=21
so a man who will likely influence young boys to manipulate, disrespect and harass women is an ambassador to a *knowledge* city? Ma Sha Allah such progress much future pakistan https://t.co/6YPNUgVja2
— 🇵🇸 (@lebatavia) October 25, 2020
A vile sexual harasser, against whome multiple women have registered cases of harrassment, has been selected as an ambassador by Imran Khan for his university. https://t.co/X9EbXJ5MOp
— Areesha (@AreeshaPervez) October 25, 2020
PTI be like hmmmmm who's the worst person to do this job and then they actually found him https://t.co/t03dK6fLOr
— Abdullah Shahid (@chadullah) October 25, 2020
An anti-women guy rewarding another anti-women d-bag. Handsome is literally the pits and Ali Zafar is the worst of scum. https://t.co/YuA3Jcrp5Z pic.twitter.com/NK8ZslEO6g
— Rabia Mehmood – رابعہ (@Rabail26) October 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/fzaklm/status/1320459218852421632?s=21
People talked about how there was no shortage of good options.
You have Shehzad Roy whose actually done a lot for education literally a phone call away https://t.co/iig6MpIpvI
— Abnoxiuos (@Abnoxiuos) October 25, 2020
ok but seriously wasnt shehzad roy the person doing all that work for education? does this govt have one braincell between all of these fools? https://t.co/8e6ZvHXqfT
— Mehar Khursheed (@curlistani) October 25, 2020
Pls appoint waqar zaka as minister of IT and duckybhai as an ambassador and call it a day https://t.co/4sLtmU0g8v
— Anas Tipu (@teepusahab) October 25, 2020
ALSO READ
FIA Charges Meesha Shafi and Eight Others Under Cyber Crime Laws
The Prime Minister thinks the men of Pakistan are under attack and they need a symbolic show of support. https://t.co/Da6Yvmy8tj
— Sabahat Zakariya (@sabizak) October 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/sunflovol6/status/1320439137124712448?s=21
About Namal Knowledge City
The knowledge city aims to play a key role in further social and state development. The center was inaugurated over the weekend in a ceremony in Mianwali.
During the first phase of its launch, the center will facilitate over 10,000 students. It is also said to be an environment-friendly initiative with a green building.
Imran Khan even addressed the ceremony, talking about the availability of affordable and quality higher education opportunities in Pakistan.
Do you think PM Khan should have appointed someone less controversial than Ali Zafar? How about Shehzad Roy? Let us know in the comments below.