Pakistan’s government is striving to counter the terrorist accusations that India has levelled after the massacre of 26 tourists by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. But the latest challenge facing the Shebaz Sharif government is from within. Pakistanis began trolling their own government by increasing frustration on social media.
The Pahargam attack at a popular tourist hotspot known as “Mini Switzerland” escalates tensions between India and Pakistan, with both countries halting visa services and visitors from neighbors. India has also suspended the Indus Water Treaty, stating that it “maintained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan.”
Faced with such existential challenges, Pakistani people are beginning to question their leadership and demand accountability for the horrifying Pahargam attack. And they are venting their frustration with their government through memes and satire.
Most of these posts and memes deal with Indians over New Delhi’s move towards Pakistan. Using humor as a tool to express their dissent, users pointed out how Pakistan failed to provide basic amenities to people.
Amid the cries of war on social media, Pakistanis are concerned about whether they can afford such a conflict given their financial situation. Users suggested that if Indians want to have a war with Pakistan, they are flooded with Xs saying they must finish it before 9am. Why: He said the gas supply would then go out.
Another user ironically replied, “Don’t give them more lame jokes: Aata, Paani, Bheek, (food, water, alms), and now gas.” “They must know they’re fighting a poor country,” said the third user.
In another thread, a group of Pakistanis engaged in criticizing the “miserability” in which they live. The conversation begins with users asking if India would bomb Pakistan. To this, someone replied, “Indians are not stupid.” But for the third user, their misery is not better than being bombed. “When will this misery end the brothers?” asked the user.
Pakistani users also shared a popular meme trolling the Pakistani air force. Posting a glimpse into the Indian Air Force and responding to Indian users who called for action over the attack on Pahargam, he shared a meme showing a man riding a motorcycle on a motorcycle that was modified with a fighter-like structure made of banknotes.
Seeing India halting the Indus Water Treaty and the threat of stopping the flow of rivers into Pakistan, users flagged Pakistan itself as lacking water. “Want to stop the water? There’s no supply anyway. Do you want to kill us? Our government is already killing us. Would you take Lahore with you?
