Earthquake remarks taken ‘out of context’: Firdous clarifies non-serious remarks

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan clarified her non-serious remarks regarding earthquake, saying that a part of her speech was reported “out of context”. It is pertinent to mention here that Firdous Awan cracked a joke on the earthquake in Pakistan and said the change [tabdeeli] was not acceptable to the earth. “This is a sign of change that the earth has cropped up. The earth has also not accepted such a change so quickly,” she said. As the tremors were felt across the country, the PM’s assistant compared them to the ‘tabdeeli’ of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government (PTI). “Land has expressed by moving and shaking that change has come,” she said. A number social media activists and journalists slammed the non-serious statement of the special assistant about tragic earthquake and expressed anger with posted a video of the event on Twitter and Facebook. Later, in a video message, Firdous Ashiq Awan said that it was irresponsible of media and social media to negatively portray her remarks. The special assistant said she made the comment to lighten the mood as a wave of panic had run across the hall due to the intensity of the tremors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGc1pvYVFLI In a tweet, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari called it “shameful and unforgiveable”. “Terrible news of the earthquake – saddened by the loss of precious lives and destruction. Shameful and unforgivable for anyone to show insensitivity to this tragedy when precious human lives have been lost,” she said.

Terrible news of the earthquake - saddened by the loss of precious lives and destruction. Shameful and unforgivable for anyone to show insensitivity to this tragedy when precious human lives have been lost.

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) September 24, 2019

“The Information SAPM’s remarks on the earthquake were insensitive, absolutely inappropriate and most certainly had nothing to do with govt viewpoint. Human suffering can never be made light of,” the minister said.

The Information SAPM's remarks on the earthquake were insensitive, absolutely inappropriate and most certainly had nothing to do with govt viewpoint. Human suffering can never be made light of.

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) September 24, 2019

Meanwhile, many Twitter users didn’t take this too well and expressed their anger.

Firdous Ashiq Awan's statement on earthquake being caused by Tabdeeli is insensitive and plain "stupid". The Tabdeeli should have been providing aid and assistance and not making a mockery of victims of the earthquake in which people lost lives.

This is sadly the real tabdeeli! — Ali Moeen Nawazish (@am_nawazish) September 24, 2019

Firdos Ashiq awan must resign, Pakistan deserves a better face with some sense.

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 24, 2019

19 people dead, 300 injured. And this is what Firdous Ashiq Awan has to say. https://t.co/FIxC8EjbO4

— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) September 24, 2019