Former Pakistan cricket team captain, prominent social figure and philanthropist Shahid Afridi has come under intense criticism from PTI supporters after commenting on the current political situation in the country.
Afridi was speaking to journalists after a talk at Pakistan’s embassy in the UK where made a statement calling for harmony and unity between the opposition and government.
“There are good and bad people on both sides of the aisle. If the country is to progress, everyone has to work together”, he commented.
He went on to say that the PM does not have any NRO to give. “Only institutions can give NROs”.
Watch the exchange with media here:
After the online backlash that called for a complete boycott of all products and organisations related to Shahid Afridi, he issued a clarification in a video message. He said that Imran Khan was his idol and hero and he did not mean any disrespect to him.
“I have a right to my views and opinions like everyone else. If you don’t agree with it, that is fine, but don’t convert that disagreement into hatred”, he said.
Watch video here:
However, even after the clarification, the negative comments and critique continued. While some called for a boycott of the person and his businesses and charitable foundations, others began making comparisons between Afridi and Imran Khan.
Imran Khan Shahid Afridi
— X (@MemeLad007) March 22, 2024
1992 1992 pic.twitter.com/Fr5kFcUXYJ
Journalist Sami Ibrahim also issued a sharp rebuke on the matter, calling Afridi a hypocrite
#ShahidAfridi #boycott @shahid https://t.co/FgxuMetsJz
— Batman (@Batmanreturnzz) March 22, 2024
Others went as far back as his cricketing days, making a video of his infamous untimely dismissals.
An embarrassing compilation of Shahid Afridi going back to the pavilion with ducks. pic.twitter.com/0EMJa5nXDB
— Mehwish Faraz (@MehwishFaraz9) March 22, 2024
Afridi has previously gotten similar flak from the same PTI quarters for his views on the May 9 attacks on army installations and his message of congratulations to PML-N stalwart Shehbaz Sharif on his recent election as Prime Minister for a second consecutive term.
