In trying times like these, people are confused, scared and stressed to say the least. In a press conference regarding a briefing on the Coronavirus pandemic, Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan really crossed the line after he called people with disabilities Allah’s azaab on the parents for their wrongdoings.
https://twitter.com/NOWPDP/status/1239844985450700800?s=19
And people were baffled at his insensitive comments!
Fayyaz Chohan sinking to new depths. During press con about coronavirus, he described having children with disabilities as a punishment from God. What a vile, disgusting thing to say! Worth remembering that this man, who consistently spews venom, was reappointed as Info Min by IK pic.twitter.com/NCCsd1OA4V
— Bilal Azhar Kayani (@BilalAKayani) March 17, 2020
People were praying to cure his insensitivity:
To Fayyaz Chauhan:
On behalf of our adopted child who has cerebral palsy & millions who can’t respond to you.
I pray for cure of ur insensitivity. I pray u respect families who take care of these angels.
Watch this video, maybe it will melt ur heart, if you have any. pic.twitter.com/ofLqnXKmsh
— Salman Sufi (@SalmanSufi7) March 17, 2020
Muniba Mazari was downright disgusted:
Is this for real? I’m appalled & disgusted! @ImranKhanPTI Sir, I hope you watch this & ask your team to have some empathy, wisdom, decency and grace! This is Shameful!
PS: I am a person who’s differently abled & my mother takes pride in what I’ve done for my country so far! https://t.co/uGrQWDgap6— Muniba Mazari (@muniba_mazari) March 17, 2020
Some wanted him to stop worrying about the disabled children:
https://twitter.com/jooonaid/status/1239856433795121154?s=19
Many were sharing how the specially abled people in their lives helped them raise awareness for others:
PM @ImranKhanPTI must take notice of this insensitive remark made by Chohan. My brother was a special child and because of him my parents established the 1st school in Pakistan for the Down’s Syndrome that created awareness for 000s of such schools https://t.co/AAwLXFSV2R
— Mumtaz Muslim (@MumtazMuslim) March 17, 2020
Many were calling him out on his sick mentality:
Calling physically challenged children an act of divine justice for sins of parents is deplorable and shameful but unfortunately routine stuff for punjab info min Fiaz ul hassan chohan, who habitually puts his foot in his mouth.why is he a minister I always wonder. Sic!
— Mohammad Malick (@MalickViews) March 17, 2020
Repeat after us: physical disability is not a curse!
https://twitter.com/SameenaERana/status/1239911280225521664?s=19
The Human Rights Comission of Pakistan expressed their shock at the comments:
HRCP is deeply concerned by the statement made by the Punjab Information Minister @FayyazulHChohan, who has suggested that children with physical or mental disabilities are born as a result of their parents' sins. This was irresponsible and callous.
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) March 17, 2020
People were adamant that he resigns:
https://twitter.com/Functuay/status/1239917329087111169?s=19
Shireen Mazari too shared how his statement was unforgivable:
Special children are not an "azaab" but are special human beings to be cared for and loved and allowed to develop their own potential. In fact no child can ever be an "azaab" and for anyone to make such a cruel, inhumane statement is absolutely unforgivable and condemnable.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) March 17, 2020
Singer Haroon also took to Twitter to share his disappointment:
https://twitter.com/TheRealHaroon/status/1240011186898427905?s=19
People were furious!
The only thing disabled is Fayyazul Hasan Chohan’s brain
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) March 17, 2020
I mean…
Petition to send Fayyaz Chohan to Italy so that scientists can also laggay hathoun discover the vaccine against chutyaapa
— Husn Hai Suhana (@Fatmounh) March 17, 2020
People wanted him to be sacked, and that too asap!
Absolutely disgusting views on disability by Fayyaz Chohan. Remind me why has he been given the ministerial duties again? Somebody plz sack him for good. Despicable!!@ImranKhanPTI U can do better than this Sir
— SK (@_stkhan) March 17, 2020
Shots were fired!
https://twitter.com/MonaAlamm/status/1240008240966090757?s=19
Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussain too corrected him:
Special children are a gift rom Allah, they aren’t the result of any wrong doings by the parents,these special children are valued by those who are valuable.Allah has clearly said in Quran that there will be no catastrophe on his beloved Prophet ﷺ ummah only tests of our faith. pic.twitter.com/2ZcztVz7ms
— Aamir Liaquat Husain (@AamirLiaquat) March 17, 2020
This mindset needs to change!
People with disabilities are among the most marginalized sections of our population, and apathy that comes with mindsets like these is what enables this marginalization. There should be no place for it in society, let alone the state. https://t.co/FN9KOwosyS
— shehroze (@rozenameh) March 17, 2020
People found it absolutely ridiculous!
https://twitter.com/maryammansoro/status/1239857347532636161?s=19
They are PEOPLE and that’s all they should be labelled as:
https://twitter.com/zawwareaaa/status/1239877340957675522?s=19
Some thought he had lost his senses:
https://twitter.com/i_____dreamer/status/1239872770563084289?s=19
People were appalled:
Cannot even begin to express how hateful and insensitive this is. 😡 https://t.co/Ir6mryM6kN
— Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) March 17, 2020
Some had legit questions:
Who are we to judge that birth of a special child is the result of bad deeds of his/her parents? https://t.co/4TbKVysVxp
— Sarfraz Gul (@msarfrazgul) March 17, 2020
Some offered suggestions:
“THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK” MR arrogant Fayyaz Chohan sahib. https://t.co/hf1W039Cme
— Sadia Ahmed (@SadiaTheSadia) March 17, 2020
Some were hopeless:
Fayyaz Chohan can't be fixed. It is that simple.
— Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) March 17, 2020
And while Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan issued an apology later, sentiments were hurt beyond measure:
https://twitter.com/Fayazchohanpti/status/1239912973918969862?s=19
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!