The anchor's tweets weren't received well by the public, with some going as far as labelling him a traitor.
Television host Syed Iqrar Ul Hassan's claim to fame is his show Sar-e-Aam but over the weekend, he was trending for a different reason: his tweets.
India vs Pakistan (We are not even sure that we ordered the vaccine or not, banana to door ki baat). Muqabla kerna hai to taleem main kerain, science main kerain, khail main kerain, infrastructure main kerain, economy main kerain, technology main kerain...aur such ka samna kerain https://t.co/SYcCDmmOnS
— Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) January 17, 2021
"India vs Pakistan. We are not even sure that we ordered the vaccine or not, banana to door ki baat (making it is another story)," he said.
"Muqabla kerna hai to taleem main kerain, science main kerain, khail main kerain, infrastructure main kerain, economy main kerain, technology main kerain ... aur such ka samna kerain (If you want to compete, do it on the basis of education, science, sports, infrastructure, economy, technology ... and face the truth)."
He then shared photos of public transportation in Pakistan and in India side by side, with the former being in a dismal state.
India VS Pakistan https://t.co/VNDy51JEy8 pic.twitter.com/RIkQG3H9BR
— Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) January 16, 2021
The anchor didn't stop there. He then pointed out how the Pakistani passport and rupee are of a much lower value as compared to other countries, especially Pakistan's South Asian counterparts.
بدقسمتی سے ہمارا پاسپورٹ افغانستان اور صومالیہ کے درجے پر ہے، روپیہ بنگلہ دیشی “ٹکے” کے مقابلے ایک روپے نوے پیسے اور بھارتی روپیہ دو روپے بیس پیسے ہے، ہم محنت کرنے، مقابلہ کرنے کی بجائے خود کو پھنے خان سمجھتے ہیں۔ اللہ ہمیں پاکستان کو صحیح معنوں میں “زندہ باد” بنانے کی توفیق دے pic.twitter.com/uf9wvEknwk
— Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) January 17, 2021
"Unfortunately, the Pakistani passport holds only as much value as one from Somalia or Afghanistan. The rupee is also at 1.90 compared to the Bangladeshi takka, and 2.20 compared to the Indian rupee," he added.
"May God give us the ability to turn Pakistan into the true meaning of 'zindabad'," he concluded.
The tweets weren't received well by the public, with some going as far as labelling him a traitor. Soon, the hashtag #ApologiseToTheCountry started trending on social media.
Hassan, however, found support from celebrities who helped another hashtag #WeSupportIqrar trend.
Before bashing anyone, one must see the context of whats being said. Love, devotion & dedication of @iqrarulhassan towards our beloved country Pakistan is not even debatable or questionable. #wesupportiqrar #WesupportIQRARULHASSAN
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 17, 2021
"Before bashing anyone, one must see the context of what is being said. Love, devotion and dedication of Iqrar ul Hassan towards our beloved country Pakistan is not even debatable or questionable," pointed out cricketing great Shoaib Akhtar.
He wasn't the only cricketer who came to Hassan's defence; Kamran Akmal also shared his thoughts.
We can’t judge his love & devotion towards his Country by a post it’s just his wish to see a better Transportation system for his own people & his own country nothing wrong in that.Stay strong @iqrarulhassan #WeSupportIqrar
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) January 17, 2021
"We can’t judge his love and devotion towards his country by a post; it’s just his wish to see a better transportation system for his own people and his own country. Nothing wrong in that. Stay strong," he said.
Journalist Ihtishamul Haq also raised his voice in support.
I STAND WITH @iqrarulhassan #WeSupportIqrar
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) January 17, 2021
"We should all be thankful to Iqrar for exposing mafia in his programs, taking risks and saving hundreds of lives, mostly girls. Instead, we are calling him XYZ agent and making trends against him. This isn’t acceptable. I stand with IQRAR UL HASSAN." he said.
When a man who has risked his life many a times & worked tirelessly for his country & its people posts a picture that could be his wish to see a better transportation system, judge him for his intention with the same compassion & kindness he has always shown. #WeSupportIqrar
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) January 17, 2021
"When a man who has risked his life many a times and worked tirelessly for his country and its people posts a picture that could be his wish to see a better transportation system, judge him for his intention with the same compassion and kindness he has always shown," said singer Ali Zafar in support.
Actor Imran Ashraf also vouched for Hassan's love for his country.
I know one thing about @iqrarulhassan whenever he writes something he completes it with the most precious word PAKISTAN ZINDABAD even his autograph is PAKISTAN ZINDABAD#wesupportiqrar
— Imran Ashraf ?? (@IamImranAshraf) January 17, 2021
"I know one thing about Iqrar. Whenever he writes something he completes it with the most precious word PAKISTAN ZINDABAD, even his autograph is PAKISTAN ZINDABAD," he concluded. "I support Iqrar."
