A fresh controversy unfolds on Twitter every day. While there is some healthy debate and banter that goes around on the micro-blogging site too, more than often its endless trolling and heated discussions with regard to something a public personality has said and irked social media users to retaliate. This time around, Pakistani commentator Ansar Abbasi has taken the internet by storm, in light of his latest tweet. The journalist uploaded a video of a fitness trainer instructing a woman how to perform different workouts, with the session being aired on Pakistan Television (PTV). He captioned the clip, “Mr PM @ImranKhanPTI this is PTV @AsimSBajwa @shiblifaraz.” While no one could really grasp on what exactly Abbasi found wrong with the exercise session, he is now being schooled for being “narrow-minded” and having a “perverted mind”.
Ansar Abbasi has such a perverted mind that he is finding a woman working out vulgar and sexual. But @AnsarAAbbasi trust me working out in a Burqa is very inconvenient. I tried but didn't work ?? Also there ain't enough female trainers in fitness industry so we rely on men. https://t.co/Pc253w0N51
— Pernia Khan (@PerniaKhan) September 21, 2020
Pakistani society is thankfully more normal and accepting than Ansar Abbasi Sahab. #SmallMercies https://t.co/1reWqZq2HF
— Mahwash Ajaz ?? (@mahwashajaz_) September 22, 2020
A bevy of furious Twitter users weighed in on their thoughts. A journo and former multimedia producer at BBC Urdu, Pernia Khan sarcastically posted, “Ansar Abbasi has such a perverted mind that he is finding a woman working out vulgar and sexual. But @AnsarAAbbasitrust me working out in a Burqa is very inconvenient. I tried but didn’t work. Also, there ain’t enough female trainers in the fitness industry so we rely on men.” Several others followed suit. “Pakistani society is thankfully more normal and accepting than Ansar Abbasi Sahab. #SmallMercies,” penned Dubai-based journalist Mahwash Ajaz.
Prime Minister should take action on Ansar Abbasi's request, and then your media Geo/Jang/TheNews will launch a campaign against PM Imran Khan that PTI government is against freedom of speech and censorship?? What kind of hypocrites are you all? https://t.co/Vh44LYVdzJ
— Arnold (@dapakiguy92) September 22, 2020
Ansar Abbasi feeling bad about himself because a young woman on National Television is fitter than he ever will be.
Something about watching her puts Mr. Ansar Abbasi off so much he makes a video and tweets to his Prime Minister.PS: I love it when men expose themselves. https://t.co/6xXbT9wK9Y
— Afifah (@afifahtweets) September 21, 2020
Did PM Imran Khan ask Ansar Abbasi "What is PTV?" And I suppose he is tagging Asim Bajwa and Shibli Faraz to show them how to exercise. Or is he just horrified that how could PTV show physical exercises when clearly he needs mental exercises to keep that brain out of the gutter? https://t.co/B9Q8RAWDxT
— Aaliya Javed (@Aaliyajaved) September 21, 2020
Abbasi was also called out for being a hypocrite. A user questioned, “Prime Minister should take action on Ansar Abbasi’s request, and then your media Geo/Jang/The News will launch a campaign against PM Imran Khan that the PTI government is against freedom of speech and censorship? What kind of hypocrites are you all?” A handful of women could not help but mock Abbasi for his insensitivity and ignorance. “Ansar Abbasi feeling bad about himself because a young woman on National Television is fitter than he ever will be. Something about watching her puts Mr. Ansar Abbasi off so much he makes a video and tweets to his Prime Minister. PS: I love it when men expose themselves,” read a tweet. Another user penned, “Did PM Imran Khan ask Ansar Abbasi “What is PTV?” And I suppose he is tagging Asim Bajwa and Shibli Faraz to show them how to exercise. Or is he just horrified that how could PTV show physical exercises when clearly, he needs mental exercises to keep that brain out of the gutter?”
If Even an exercise session and women picture on advertisement boards makes you feel amorous, you really need psychic therapy and advice….. https://t.co/1Xb9tDwr5R
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 22, 2020
Sir, the constitution is silent on matters of physical exercise for women. May be argued that it is protected under Art. 9 as a part of right to life.
If the video bothers anyone, they can exercise the same right… and just close their eyes. Constitutional solution. https://t.co/QnLPZhsEIG
— Jahanzeb Sukhera (@J_Sukhera) September 22, 2020
http://brownidentity.com/2020/09/22/armeena-khan-discovers-a-talented-singer-you-wont-believe-who-it-is/
From amongst the political spectrum, Federal Minister For Science And Technology, Ch Fawad Hussain was the first to call out Abbasi. He retorted, “If even an exercise session and women picture on advertisement boards makes you feel amorous, you really need psychic therapy and advice.” Well said! Many have lauded Hussain’s opinion but Abbasi remains steadfast in his way of thinking. Shutting down the troll, he confidently replied to Hussain’s post with, “You are part of a government which claims to be rebuilding Pakistan in line with the principles of Riyasat-e-Madina. Can you justify what you and your likes support in the light of the teachings of Quran and Sunnah or even the constitution of Pakistan?” Many Twitter users came to Abbasi’s rescue too, demanding for the boycott of channels that screen “indecent” and “vulgar behaviour”. That’s a first – who knew a woman exercising would make some men outrageous? Seriously, what’s next?
