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Updated 23 Dec, 2016

Pakistani Twitter had been quiet for a while, but that was until it learned President Mamnoon Hussain's schooling secret.

On Wednesday, President Mamnoon revealed that he has never attended school and missed out on the joys of school life. Mamnoon, who was home-schooled, became the target for online trolls, but also inspired some introspection.

In case you're wondering, here's what went down.

Some people were just plain outraged by his lack of formal education.

Others thought it was great — in fact, they see his journey as inspirational!

Some are jealous, and who can blame them? Find us one person who likes waking up at 7am!

This woman thinks he scores points for truthfulness.

There were some sane voices in the room.

This guy thinks school doesn't guarantee smarts.

But a lack of schooling could have consequences, like...

Or...

Hmm, they do have a point.

Comments

Muhammad Khizar Dec 23, 2016 05:20pm
For those who are still confused, Please explore before commenting. The president did not go to school but still he has an MBA form the most prestigious business school of Pakistan i.e. IBA. He should be a inspiration for all the young people in Pakistan.
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Alexey Dec 23, 2016 05:31pm
@Muhammad Khizar Please enlighten me, what use is his degree? Does he make any decisions? He chose this role for himself for all we know. I'm sorry but any politico coming up through Pakistani system will never be my inspiration. Period.
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Yaser Arafat Dec 23, 2016 05:31pm
That the difference...the people who went to school! are tweeting....
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Dr Riffat Jabeen Dec 23, 2016 06:39pm
Nothing to worry about if twitter is confused. It is said if you cannot convince, confuse them. This is the best strategy.
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Dr Riffat Jabeen Dec 23, 2016 06:42pm
I don't know why our president chose himself to be a laughing stock for everyone around. It doesn't matter he has a degree or not but he is not of any use for his country and his people. He is just enjoying status and playing in the hands of its exploiters.
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Princess_of_DHUMP Dec 23, 2016 07:57pm
@Alexey Please enlighten me what do you think is the role of the president? Pakistani populace likes "notanki politicians" who are more into theatrics. If he was making speeches ZAB style i.e. tearing open his buttons or dancing on stage like Pervaiz Khattak or making outrageous claims like Imran Khan I am sure you'll be all gaga over him.
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MAlvi USA Dec 23, 2016 10:39pm
What difference it makes. Those who went to school are the same. There are two kinds of illiterate in Pakistan: educated ones and uneducated ones.
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Yankee Babu Dec 24, 2016 12:09am
@Muhammad Khizar 100% agree he should be assisting our large population who cannot afford schooling by setting up a system where everyone is encourage to become educated following his suit
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m. syed Dec 24, 2016 12:21am
Ah, Never went to school ? And its so obvious !
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rashid nasim Dec 24, 2016 01:01am
Who cares if he went to school or not. I went school and I do a lot for my employer. Did someone ask him why he did not go to school
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Mohammad Ali Dec 24, 2016 02:55am
I cannot believe what people are saying. I heard his speech. He said he did not go to a "school" instead he did home schooling. which is very common in US. In fact when said that, I had more respect for him
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Mirza Iqbal Ashraf Dec 24, 2016 06:35am
I never went to a school or a college. From nursery to B.A. I received education at home. Attended Punjab University for two years for my Masters In English Language and Literature. Today, I am in USA, and am a published author of books in English.
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MAZHARUDDIN Dec 24, 2016 07:45am
@Dr Riffat Jabeen What he should do?
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Adil Jadoon Dec 24, 2016 09:37am
That is why there is emphasis on education in this govt.
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JUSTICE Dec 24, 2016 09:46am
What else is new.? Ask others serving politicians about the fake degree., not many politicians can read/write English or even speak Urdu properly.
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Ali Dec 24, 2016 10:16am
@Alexey its system that allows to take decision not the designation.
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FAZEEL MEHBOOB Dec 24, 2016 10:23am
@Dr Riffat Jabeen great words bro... Much appreciating. It made me laugh.
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Khaled Dec 24, 2016 10:24am
So what else can you expect from Nawaz Sharif? his other choice is the Governor of Sindh, who was admitted in the hospital the very next day of oath taking and remained there for 33 days. It has been well said that a person is recognized by the company he keeps.
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FAZEEL MEHBOOB Dec 24, 2016 10:35am
That's the reason Pakistan is far away from prosperity and productive mode. Sound education is the fundamental element to lead the country and even to lead yourself. I do only say sorry on the poverty of our president.
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shereen Dec 24, 2016 12:02pm
I know several people including a few celebrated intellectuals of our nation who did private matriculation without going through formal schooling. And then went on do degrees.The comments make me realize what school based learning lacks: an ability to check plausibility if not facts before commenting. I'm losing hope in our future.
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Abrar Dec 24, 2016 01:29pm
@Alexey dear he is 76 and has achieved all what a person can desire in once life. At the end he is president of Pakistan and doing the job what is defined in the constitution of Pakistan. He cant do anything as a President against the constitution
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BNJ Dec 24, 2016 02:05pm
People have all the right to make fun of whomsoever they want but i think it was very honest of Mr President.
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Syed Waqar Ali Dec 24, 2016 07:12pm
There is no age limit to go to school. Any body can take admission to nursey or KG 1.
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Nasir Dec 24, 2016 09:45pm
It does not matter if he ever did go or not. It also does not have any consequences on his present role.
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Saqib Dec 25, 2016 04:00am
@Mirza Iqbal Ashraf That's why your Englsih is also not correct, haha.
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Saqib Dec 25, 2016 04:01am
@Muhammad Khizar Ah come on.Even 1st class students dont pass the IBA entrance test. How did he do it, hhhmmm Rupiya bolta ha.
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M. A Dec 25, 2016 09:15am
President did his MBA from IBA on of the leading institutions of Pakistan. He is usually trolled on social media for doing nothing. He on the contrary is restricting himself to the constitutional role a President has to play in parliamentary form of government. He should be appreciated for that. Unlike most of his predecessors who allowed their office to be used for palatial intrigues against elected Premiers.
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Zubaida Khan Dec 25, 2016 05:16pm
Homeschooling is very common in the US. Many parents prefer it to the traditional method. The President is humble and revealed a softer side of himself. He missed going to school abd wanted to have that opportunity for others so they could be socially more adapt. It does not mean he is uneducated, or illiterate.
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ukasha Dec 26, 2016 01:15am
school or no school, degree or no degree, all president does is sign and chill, God bless Pakistan
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aimi Dec 26, 2016 08:54pm
@Saqib I think you are lost more in haha. Can you point out where was that wrong??
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aimi Dec 26, 2016 08:57pm
@shereen Can't agree more.
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