ISLAMABAD – A photograph depicting former cricketer and PakistanTehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan as a Hindu god has triggered adebate in Pakistan. The issue has been raised by Hindu legislators inPakistan National Assembly, following which the Interior Ministry of thecountry was directed check the circulation of the photograph on socialmedia and nab those behind it.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq took up the matter with theInterior Ministry after protest by Hindu legislators over hate speeches andsocial media campaigns being carried out using the photograph.
The picture of a Hindu deity, with Imran Khan’s face superimposed on it,was submitted before the Assembly by legislator Ramesh Lal Calling forlegal action, the legislators asked National Assembly Speaker to initiate aprobe into the matter.
The report further said that the Interior Ministry has been asked tocomplete the investigation within seven days.
Imran Khan’s PTI has, however, maintained that the party is in support ofthe members of Hindu community in the country. PTI vice chairman ShahMehmood Qureshi as saying that the campaign was being carried out by someparty’s social media wing.
Imran Khan had in 2014 said that Hindus who had fled Pakistan would returnto the country if his party, PTI, was voted to power in the country.