Sindh Education Minister, Saeed Ghani is accused of tweaking and sharing the edited footage of rain destruction in Karachi. The SAMAA TV channel accused the minister of sharing the edited footage on Twitter- the TV channel had broadcasted the footage of flooded roads and overwhelmed drainage system of Karachi in its 4 PM headlines after torrential rains hit the city.
The SAMAA TV claims the minister of the Sindh government shared the edited footage to hide the ineptness of the Sindh government. The channel argued that the minister posted fake footage to avert the backlash on the Sindh government.
The channel claims Saeed Ghani attempted to falsify the reporting of SAMAA TV on the abysmal condition of the metropolis following the recent spells of rain.
https://twitter.com/SamaaEnglish/status/1287804174688755713?s=20
Saeed Ghani: shared edited footage on Karachi rain
“See the lie of PTI’s SAMAA TV on Karachi’s rain,” the minister tweeted with the video.
However, the channel claims that the real footage is available on the YouTube platform of SAMAA TV. The audience can compare both the footage to differentiate between the truth. It went on to say that, the footage shared by Saaed Ghani was posted on August 5, 2013. Hence, that is not the video that channel broadcasted in its 4 PM headline. Interestingly, PPP’s leader Bilawal Bhutto also shared the edited footage posted by Saeed Ghani.
“Saeed Ghani shared SAMAA TV’s 4 pm headlines after editing it,” the channel said. “The footage that was shared wasn’t used in the original headline.”
“SAMAA TV reserves the right to take legal action against Saeed Ghani for spreading fake news,” a ticker on the channel said. The channel asserts Saeed Ghani did not respond to calls to give his statement on the issue.
Stadium Road https://t.co/4jn9veF1f6
— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) July 27, 2020
Meanwhile, the current situation of Karachi- the urban flooding, commuters stranded on roads during rain, the incidents of electrocution, long power breakdown triggered a torrent of criticism on the city and provincial governments.
Karachi rain: Celebrities, citizens outraged
Social media users expressed outrage as the system of the city collapsed after heavy rains. Citizens lashed out at the indifference of the Sindh ministers for disproving the woes of the people. A score of provincial legislatures faced backlash for posting images of selected main roads like Shahrah-e-Faisal- lauding the government of Sindh for clearing it from rainwater within a few hours.
Near #FTC #SharahFasial Karachi pic.twitter.com/1IU7a8qdSC
— Sadiajaved (@Sadiajavedppp) July 26, 2020
However, the citizens argued that the several low-lying densely populated residential areas in the metropolis heavily submerged in rainwater. They urged the legislatures not to manipulate the real condition of the city.
Read more: Mehwish Hayat demands equal rights for Karachi after rain ravages the metropolis
Several celebrities like Fahad Mustafa, Mehwish Hayat, Zainab Qayyom, Ayesha Omar, Osman Khalid Butt, and others expressed disappointment over the faltering administration that failed to protect people from the havoc of torrential rain despite the repeated warning of urban flooding from meteorological department.
The celebrities said the authorities treat Karachi like an orphan despite generating volumes of revenue for the country. The absolute absence of effective administration has plunged the city into a gross mess.
Read more: Why is no money available for improving Karachi?
Bakhtawar Bhutto: backlash for an insensitive remark
Meanwhile, the daughter of PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto garnered backlash on social media for insensitive remarks on masses. According to social media users, her tweet reflected the contempt for the masses of Karachi who are facing extreme inconvenience during the monsoon rains in the city.
Bakhtawar Bhutto lauded the Government of Sindh for clearing rainwater from a few roads in Karachi. She said that it is not the responsibility of the government to solve every problem of the citizens.
Shabash! After #KarachiSinks – the responsible authorities are busy INSULTING the masses, calling them "Barishi Maindak"? 😳
Now, if someone calls you something nasty, that would be "batameezi", right? 🙂 – so much for "democratic attitude", eh?! 😎https://t.co/PJSuT3mt4U
— Maleeha Hashmey (@MaleehaHashmey) July 27, 2020
“Jab Barish Ati Hai tab Pani Ata hai( Water comes when it rains). Facts. Thank you GOS for supervising roads all night. Cleared today. Unfortunately, we cannot fix the problem of barishey mainducks that come squealing with the rain. Where were PTI ministers selected in #Karachi in the last 24 hours?,” wrote Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari in a tweet.
Bakhtawar Bhutto received backlash on social media for insulting the masses of Karachi. Internet users slammed Bakhtawar for hiding the incompetence of her government in the city. Meanwhile, social media users also laughed off at her for taking a jibe at her brother, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, for rain comments.
When it rains, water comes, that's why PPP are on the streets to help people. If Coca-Cola came, PTI would be on the streets … Our chairman had said a simple thing which PTI could not understand till today.
#KarachiRain https://t.co/UHNqoo19ib— Syed Nasir Hussain Shah (@SyedNasirHShah) July 27, 2020