Marriyum, during a press conference, said that PTI founder Imran Khan and his party members should have been beheaded in 2014.
"When the Chinese president was arriving in Pakistan, this fitna should have been addressed at that time. His head should have been beheaded,” PML-N leader can be seen in video clips shared by netizens.
Kamran Yousaf, a senior journalist, took to X to express his dismay over Marriyum's statement, emphasising that violent rhetoric has no place in political discourse. He urged individuals to express their opinions without resorting to such inflammatory language.
Similarly, Imran Afzal Raja, a social media commentator, denounced the remarks, labelling the PML-N as a "terrorist party" and questioning the morality of advocating violence against political opponents
Mehr Tarar, another vocal critic of Marriyum's statement, condemned the PML-N's leadership for promoting a narrative of "brutal vengeance." She asserted that such rhetoric represents a moral and political defeat for the party, emphasising the need for constructive dialogue and engagement.
Marriyum Aurangzeb is the representative of PMLN leadership’s brutal vengeance narrative. PMLN’s most vocal leadership, aka Maryam Nawaz, who’s named Imran Khan “fitna”, has repeatedly demanded the complete annihilation of Imran Khan fitna &severest punishments for his supporters https://t.co/QDzplv2tuB
— Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) February 17, 2024
International voices also weighed in on the controversy, with Ryan Grim, an American journalist, highlighting the alarming nature of the comments. He underscored the need for political parties to refrain from inciting violence and instead focus on constructive policy solutions.
Secretary of Information for the PMLN in Pakistan, surveying the party’s poor performance, offers some strategic reflection, arguing their mistake was not having Imran Khan “beheaded” 10 years ago pic.twitter.com/hkcwVmW6PU
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) February 17, 2024
Virk Shahzaib, echoing the sentiments of many, expressed shock and disbelief at Marriyum's call for violence, describing it as criminal and dangerous.
Maryam Aurangzeb said that Imran Khan and PTI people should’ve been beheaded in 2014
— Virk Shahzaib (@VirkSh786) February 17, 2024
What the actual **** pic.twitter.com/9KtV0JSba8
Jehanzeb Paracha, in a scathing rebuke of the PML-N, accused the party of promoting a "mafia" mentality and condemned Aurangzeb's remarks as unacceptable and reckless.
Sectetary Information of PMLN, a mafia party, is openly calling for beheading of former Prime Minister, @ImranKhanPTI in press conference !
— Jehanzeb Paracha (@JehanzebParacha) February 17, 2024
We understand that she is frustrated as the people of Pakistan have overwhelmingly rejected their dirty politics and did not vote for them,… pic.twitter.com/X06vFYPGxf
The uproar over the PML-N leader's statement has reignited debates about the need for responsible and respectful political discourse in Pakistan. Critics argue that violent rhetoric not only undermines democratic principles but also fosters a culture of intolerance and division.
