Ali Zaidi apologises for 'hurting sentiments' of families of missing persons

Published March 27, 2022
A photo of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi. — DawnNewsTV
A photo of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi. — DawnNewsTV

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi apologised on Sunday after receiving backlash from political parties as well as members of civil society over his remarks directed at PML-N leadership that ended up indirectly mocking the sufferings of the families of missing persons.

Ahead of PTI's Islamabad rally, the minister posted on Twitter a picture of PML-N leaders Hamza Shahbaz and Maryam Nawaz — the latter of whom was holding a photo frame of her father Nawaz Sharif. The caption accompanying the picture posted by Zaidi read: "Family of missing persons on the streets again."

Zaidi's tweet immediately received criticism as people, including some from his own party, called him out for hurting the sentiments of the families whose loved ones have become victims of forced disappearances.

Lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir said that the grief of the families of missing persons was "no joke".

"It is an insult to mothers, wives, sisters and daughters who for years dared to ask questions from the state by carrying the pictures of their missing loved ones," he said, adding that those who make fun of the oppressed will one day become jokes themselves.

Reema Omer, another lawyer, quoted the Islamabad High Court in response to Zaidi's remarks. "A person going missing is a crime against humanity. The prime minister and members of the cabinet are there to serve the people of the country. The State's response towards recovering missing persons is pathetic."

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai's father Ziauddin said that only people of "missing conscience will make jokes of the families of the missing persons".

Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, who is from Zaidi's own party, tweeted that the issue of missing persons was "not an issue for humour at all". She said that missing persons was a serious and heart-wrenching issue in Pakistan.

PM Imran Khan has always opposed enforced disappearances, she said, adding that this was one of the reasons she stands with Imran Khan. "Our government's bill to criminalise enforced disappearances is in the last stage of approval - from Senate."

Following the barrage of criticism, Zaidi tweeted an apology.

"[I] apologize if this post hurt anyone suffering on forced disappearances," he tweeted. "No illegal detention happened under [the] PTI regime. In fact, I personally helped recover 100+ who went missing under previous governments."

Opinion

Editorial

Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...
Budget and politics
Updated 14 Jun, 2024

Budget and politics

PML-N, scared of taking bold steps lest it loses whatever little public support it has, has left its traditional support — traders — virtually untouched.
New talks?
14 Jun, 2024

New talks?

WILL this prove another false start, or may we expect a more sincere effort this time? Reference is made to the...
A non-starter
14 Jun, 2024

A non-starter

WHILE the UN Security Council had earlier this week adopted a US-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza...