Highly controversial remarks by journalist Rizwan Razi have sparked a storm on social media in Pakistan.
Following the recent floods in Pakistan, Razi released a vlog where he called for the construction of dams, mocking and mimicking those—particularly from Sindh—who, as lower riparians, oppose such projects. Razi resorted to derogatory language, labeling his opponents as a “monkey race.”
This is not the first time the Lahore-based tv anchor and vlogger tried to play the Punjabi card. But on this occasion, the cost was heavy: he lost his job as anchor on Pakistan’s national television. Also, the Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges summoned him. He appeared and tendered an unconditional apology for his remarks. The panel, however, refused to accept it. The committee called Razi’s vlog a disruption of federal harmony. It recommended that Rizwan Razi be blacklisted, his YouTube channel be banned by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTI) , and an investigation be launched into his past content.
Apology:
A video clip showing Razi seeking an unconditional apology before the Senate panel later surfaced on X. It prompted his sympathisers to express solidarity with him, launching a trend in fovour of Razi. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon believes PML-N has started the trend.
Memon wrote on X: “It’s very sad to see that PML-N And Punjab government has started a campaign in support of a sick man. This is a negative message for Sindh province. PML-N’s Punjab government wants to divert the attention of public from poor performance in floods, because of inexperience and worst strategy common people of Punjab are suffering.”
PML-N Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari immediately reacted. She defended her party and said it never used Punjabi card. But analysts believe PML-N has frequently played the card.
Senior journalist Nadeem F Paracha said: “There has always been a quiet variant of Punjabi nationalism and/or ‘Punjabiyat’ in the PML-N.” The only time, he wrote, it surged was during the 1988 elections, when Maryam’s father, Nawaz Sharif, tried to portray the PPP as a Sindhi party. Sharif, according to Paracha, complained that the Punjabis were willing to vote for the Sindhi Bhuttos, but the Sindhis refused to vote for Punjabi politicians.
Debate:
Apart from the current debate, it is clear people of Punjab do not vote as Punjabi in mainstream national politics. From classical to modern Punjabi literature, one finds little promotion of Punjabiyat. Instead, it consistently represents kindness, love, and peace for all mankind. The Punjabi card, pushed by some widely regarded pro-PML-N analysts and self-styled Punjabi nationalists, is nothing more than what the late Hanif Ramay described as “the vulgar expression of Punjabi nationalism.”
But this card suits certain politicians whose entire bread and butter depends of anti-Punjab politics. The debate fuelled by hate benefits Pakistan’s ruling elite’s divide-and-rule policy. It diverts attention from country’s fundamental issues: freedom of speech, rule of law, and democracy.
Meanwhile, Razi is still trying to promote his version of Punjabism, though now with carful wording. An analysis of his X wall shows that he plays on four fronts: the religious card, Punjabiyat, pro-current-establishment rhetoric and staunch hostility toward PTI.
“So, you also use religious card. You are really a next-level trickster. Keep tweeting like this and even the PPP cannot touch you,” Shoaib Saleem, a journalist and lawyer, wrote it while reacting to one of Razi’s recent tweets.
