Images

Nawaz Sharif just called out a party leader for being overweight

Nawaz Sharif just called out a party leader for being overweight

During his Holi address in Karachi today. PM Nawaz publicly told Khialdas Kohistani to lose weight
14 Mar, 2017

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif just delivered his Holi address in Karachi and his speech was impressive for its stress on the inclusion and protection of minorities in Pakistan.

From talking about his responsibilities as a leader towards Pakistan's minorities, he took the opportunity to also highlight his efforts to restore peace in Karachi.

His address took an awkward turn when he drew PML(N) leader Khialdas Kohistani into the conversation, asking him to confirm whether the Karachi law and order situation had improved. When he wholeheartedly agreed, PM Nawaz digressed into a minute-long public sermon about Kohistani's weight.

Addressing the audience, he first said, "Tell him to lose a little weight." The audience was quite amused.

"I'm saying this in his interest. I have a lot of love for him and I want him to be healthy," continued PM Nawaz.

"When he was giving his speech, he could barely breathe. [When I saw that,] I decided then that I'd tell him to lose weight. You may be called Kohistani but you don't look it."

PM Nawaz and PML(N) leader Khialdas Kohistani at the Holi address today — Screengrab
PM Nawaz and PML(N) leader Khialdas Kohistani at the Holi address today — Screengrab

Kohistani, who was taking PM Nawaz's remarks in his stride, quipped, "People say if I lose weight, [PM Nawaz] won't notice me anymore. They say you notice me because I'm fat."

Later in his address, PM Nawaz added, "I'll visit Kohistan. You go mountain climbing a little, and I'll go mountain climbing a little. When you become less breathless, I'll [start development] in Kohistan."

The friendly banter between PM Nawaz and Kohistani drew a lot of laughs from the audience, but still raises the question: Is there room for personal comments at political events?

PM Nawaz's jovial demeanour at his Holi address was a welcome departure from the stiff, formal style of most political addresses in Pakistan and his remarks about Kohistani's weight are likely to have been made with good intentions and were received well by the target himself. However, making personal comments during a political event is problematic because it blurs the boundaries between what is acceptable to say and what isn't. If PM Nawaz can call out a party leader for his weight, then it gives permission to other political leaders to make derogatory personal remarks about other people, who may not welcome the attack, however friendly.

The bottom line is this: No one's personal appearance is up for discussion or comment at a public forum.

Pakistani politics is rife with leaders making uncalled for remarks all the time, and it's best if the premier keeps the decorum.

Comments

raza Mar 14, 2017 07:46pm
Very Sarcastic Article!
Recommend
Rashid Nasim Mar 14, 2017 08:46pm
I think it is OK to have a little fun in a political gathering.
Recommend
Shirjeel Mar 14, 2017 10:10pm
Respect the views of the writer here who has all the reasons for being cautious. However, I believe that we may at times give allowance to our political leaders for being normal human beings and who can bring some kind of acceptable humor into their drab political discourse. Of course, what needs to be avoided are personal insults which are demeaning and derogatory and attack the sensibilities of the other person. In this case, Mr. Kohistani seemed to take PM's comments in good stride and enjoyed the exchange and perhaps the attention he got. A good and sensible politician should be able to draw a line between humor and insult.
Recommend
AXH Mar 14, 2017 10:33pm
@Rashid Nasim - Not at the expense of others though.
Recommend
Retired Mar 14, 2017 11:36pm
We have a rather high tolerance for nonsense as a society ................. PM Nawaz fits in just right!
Recommend
Sher khan Mar 14, 2017 11:50pm
@Rashid Nasim - Nawaz Sharif and Zardari are totally fun, they enjoy when in power and leave the country when Not, by the way both ways on public expense.
Recommend
A .M Mar 15, 2017 01:06am
While one welcomes a friendly banter,Prime minister's humorless remark was in bad taste, to say the least .It was a serious breach of propriety,rude crude,,embarrassing and insulting to the recipient.NS is well advised to stick to his brief in future and avoid silly off the cuff remarks.
Recommend
Aabid Mar 15, 2017 01:11am
I do not see anything wrong here. His comments were light and the intention was positive. People enjoyed it and it was nice to see the prime minister in this kind of mood. Good going PM.
Recommend
Hammad Mar 15, 2017 01:59am
All parties involved had no issue with it, but of course the PC police thought another harmless joke was 'offensive' and 'inappropriate'.
Recommend
Asif Anwsr Mar 15, 2017 04:03am
He did not say anything wrong, intention was good and he also said that he loves and cares about his health. I would have not mind this myself. Very negative article.
Recommend
Demagogue Mar 15, 2017 04:07am
It's only a bit of fun. Having said that NS also needs to lose weight, it is not good for his health either. How many open heart surgeries does he want???
Recommend
Adeeb Mar 15, 2017 04:24am
We always good at finding issues
Recommend
Yasser KHAN Mar 15, 2017 05:03am
Great to see PM Nawaz Shariff opening up to public and showing his personal side.
Recommend
Amhtar Mar 15, 2017 05:14am
Journalist should just report what he/she saw and heard without adding his/her own judgement.
Recommend
Ahmed Mar 15, 2017 05:33am
If PM Nawaz can call out a party leader for his weight, then it gives permission to other political leaders to make derogatory personal remarks about other people, who may not welcome the attack, however friendly. That conclusion just wow, guess someone got triggered by fat remarks.
Recommend
ga Mar 15, 2017 06:35am
attacks on a person's physical appearance is frowned upon in the West.
Recommend
loosey Mar 15, 2017 06:42am
to answer your question, yes there is....lighten up a bit.
Recommend
ABDULRAHMAN Mar 15, 2017 07:16am
Not a big issue!
Recommend
illawarrior Mar 15, 2017 07:48am
@Rashid Nasim Criticising someone's weight is no fun for the person being picked on.
Recommend
Zain Mar 15, 2017 08:33am
A bit of fun is harmless. We need to laugh and be happy.
Recommend
analyses Mar 15, 2017 09:44am
LOL Look who's saying?
Recommend
Kau Mar 15, 2017 10:54am
Great start PM,lets build upon it. We hope that you enjoyed the festival,next time I hope you will partake in playing with the colors as well after all we all are the people of Indus.
Recommend
Vijay Reddy Rajput Mar 15, 2017 11:05am
Nothing wrong in what the PM said. Humour and good-hearted banter is always welcome.
Recommend
Shumaila Mar 15, 2017 11:53am
Why as a nation we have become so habitual of seeing the one percent negative out of the ninty-nine percent positive? For God's sake, if the Prime Minister's remarks were enjoyed and applauded by the gathering and also by Kohistani, then why need to divulge into negativity?
Recommend
Joe Mar 15, 2017 12:31pm
The PM made a comment that was well received by the audience and the party leader. So there is no issue here. If anything, weight loss, lack of excercise, and diet control need to be discussed a lot more in Pakistan.
Recommend
Observer Mar 15, 2017 03:39pm
Inappropriate behavior
Recommend
WM Toronto Mar 15, 2017 06:33pm
The definition of mannerism in the west is very different than in Pakistan. These sort of remarks are OK in Pakistan and no one takes them personally. In the west no one calls his/her superior 'Sir", it is considered rather very awkward if one does that, however, that same thing is not only OK but expected in Pakistan. Remember the difference in culture expectation and relationships.
Recommend
El Cid Mar 16, 2017 02:07am
Pot ... Kettle!
Recommend
El Cid Mar 16, 2017 02:10am
A healthy banter in goodwill and humor is welcome.
Recommend