Asma Shirazi hits back, calling Moeed Pirzada's criticism 'political hypocrisy'

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 9 November 2024

A confrontation between journalists Asma Shirazi and Moeed Pirzada highlights divergent views on democracy in Pakistan. Shirazi contests Pirzada's claims of her supporting deportations of protesters, describing his criticisms as hypocritical.
Summary

ISLAMABAD—A social media clash between prominent journalists Asma Shirazi and Moeed Pirzada has stirred debate within Pakistan's media landscape, spotlighting the polarized views over democracy, journalistic ethics, and freedom of expression.

In a recent video, Moeed Pirzada, a Pakistani journalist currently living in exile, expressed his disapproval of Shirazi's enthusiastic response to news of deportations involving Pakistani protesters in the UK. These protesters had chanted slogans against Pakistan's Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Esa, a move that Pirzada believes reflects the protesters' democratic right to freedom of expression. He criticized Shirazi's reaction, which he perceived as supportive of the deportations, alleging that it revealed her "disregard for democratic values and freedom of protest."

Pirzada pointed to Shirazi's choice of words and expressions on her television show, noting that her enthusiasm and description of the deportations as a "very good development" hinted at her bias against the protesters. He went on to suggest that Shirazi's views imply an endorsement of recent rulings by the Chief Justice, which, according to Pirzada, have undermined Pakistan's democratic principles and judicial independence. He urged Shirazi to reflect on her perspective and consider the broader implications of suppressing democratic freedoms.

However, Shirazi was quick to hit back, sharing a response that delved into what she described as Pirzada's "political hypocrisy." In a fiery statement in Urdu, Shirazi alleged that Pirzada, whom she accused of previously serving the establishment, was now preaching about freedom and democracy from a flawed position. "Is there a bigger example of social fascism than a fake person giving sermons on journalism and humanity, a man accused of forging his deceased father's signature for inheritance?" she remarked. Shirazi expressed disappointment that the opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had tweeted in support of Pirzada's stance, a move she interpreted as an endorsement of his views.

Shirazi further criticized Pirzada's past associations, calling him a "mouthpiece for the establishment" who had no standing to label her as an "establishment pawn." She referenced Pirzada's past conduct in Pakistani media, where she alleged he aligned closely with powerful institutions and criticized the very actions he now claimed to defend. "It's ironic that those who were beneficiaries of the hybrid regime now accuse others of hypocrisy," Shirazi added, challenging Pirzada's credibility.

Shirazi voiced her frustration over what she termed "political double standards" by Pirzada and his supporters, lamenting the state of political discourse and the impact of divisive rhetoric on Pakistan's democratic values.

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