Sindh, Punjab govts clash over ‘biased YouTuber’ | The Express Tribune

LAHORE:

The bid to rescue a PML-N-leaning journalist over his distasteful and derogatory remarks against Sindhi people has brought the Maryam Nawaz — led Punjab government and the PPP-led Sindh government at odds.

The former clarified that it was not playing the “province card” — an accusation the latter had not explicitly made through any party platform.

Journalist Rizwan Razi, who until recently was also employed by state television, in one of his vlogs delivered highly animated, racist, and offensive remarks against Sindhi people.

His outburst landed him before the Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, where it was recommended that his YouTube channel be blocked and he be blacklisted.

By then, he had already been terminated from PTV — a move committee members considered insufficient. On social media, however, many users sympathetic to the ruling party criticized the committee’s insistence on action against Razi despite his unconditional apology.

Unexpectedly, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also jumped into the fray, expressing solidarity with Razi. She stated that Punjabis have always sacrificed for the country without promoting hate or discord and praised Razi’s open apology as a sign of “high moral character”.

Maryam criticized those who spread provincial prejudice and hate speech without accountability, while innocent Punjabis, she said, face persecution based solely on their ID cards. She emphasized that rejecting hate politics and provincial divisions is essential for a stronger Pakistan.

The narrative of “persecution based on Punjab ID cards,” though unrelated to Sindh or Razi’s indecent remarks, appeared to be an attempt to evoke sympathy for him.

The PPP central leadership refrained from any immediate response. According to insiders, leaders were asked to react to Maryam Nawaz’s statement but, given the party’s newfound closeness with PML-N, they remained hesitant.