Imran Abbas thinks politicians should take Karachi’s problems as seriously as they take Tabish Hashmi’s jokes
Actor Imran Abbas has come out to defend comedian Tabish Hashmi after the latter’s remarks in the wake of Karachi’s Gul Plaza fire stirred the ire of Sindh Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
In a story posted on Instagram on Thursday, the actor said if politicians took the city’s problems with even a fraction of the seriousness they take Hashmi’s joke with, “they wouldn’t be dodging the real issues he was pointing out”.
Appearing as a guest on the show Report Card on January 20, the comedian had made remarks critical of the provincial government and Karachi’s municipal authorities. He suggested that the city be “privatised” like PIA had been and that citizens should pool together funds to buy their city.
Hashmi said the people couldn’t run the city worse than it is being run now, even if they tried. Speaking on accountability in the aftermath of the tragedy, he said, “I saw the chief minister’s press conference where he accepted that he is accountable, and said he will conduct an inquiry. Accountability doesn’t happen by just saying ‘I am accountable.’ Accountability is a process […] if there are constant incidents taking place under you, then just resign.”
In a press conference on Tuesday, Memon was asked about the comedian’s comments, which he said “had no value”. He appealed for the channel Hashmi appeared on — Geo News — to “launch an internal inquiry against the person who made this statement”.
He called Hashmi “dim-witted” and “foolish”, insisting “he has never read the law, never read anything, never read history and has no understanding of Sindh’s geography”.
Addressing the journalist who asked the initial question, the minister said, “These dimwits, I suggest you don’t pay so much attention to them. Their words don’t matter, they have no power.”
The reality of the situation, however, is that Hashmi isn’t alone in criticising the provincial government. Initial public reactions to the Gul Plaza blaze were equally scathing, if not more so. Much of the people’s anger was directed towards the provincial government and the comedian’s statements seem to be reflective of that.
With 73 dead, millions in financial losses and a city left scarred for the umpteenth time, maybe it is time for everyone — from politicians to Karachiites themselves — to think long and hard about what needs to be done when it comes to Karachi.
Comments