Politician Wasim Akhtar’s remarks against free food charity have divided opinion online, with reactions splitting between support for his call to prioritize jobs over handouts and pushback from those who see free meals as a lifeline for the poor.

Akhtar argued that long-term welfare should be prioritized over short-term charity, saying that creating employment opportunities is far more meaningful than simply handing out food.

“Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are being served to everyone by Saylani Sahib. I am against this. We are making people worthless for our reward [Sawab],” he said about the Saylani free food camps.

He went on to draw a comparison to make his point. “A poor man feeds grain to pigeons to please Allah, yet he doesn’t work himself. Similarly, people stand in long queues for free meals, which is humiliating,” Akhtar said. “Instead of serving free food every day, empower people to earn an honest livelihood and help them become capable of feeding themselves through halal income,” he added.

The comments triggered a wave of reactions online, split between agreement and criticism.

Actor and host Mani wrote, “First time I agree with him.”

Another user wrote, “Agree.”

A third wrote, “Bht ala Waseem Sahab” [Well said, Waseem Sahab].

One user pushed back, writing, “Pakistanis kisi haal mein khush nhi” [Pakistanis are never happy in any situation].

Another user offered a longer counterpoint: “Gareeb admi shayad biryani kam hi bana sake, tou agar ye log kabhi unko biryani bana kar bant dete hain tou is mein kya hi buri baat hai, burdbar banna bhi zaroori hai” [A poor man can barely afford to cook biryani himself, so what is wrong if people occasionally cook and distribute it to them? Being generous matters too].

One comment took direct aim at the logic of the argument: “Bhai aap ke paas rozgar hi nahi hai, to ab ghareeb logon ko khana khane par bhi pabandi laga do” [Brother, there is no employment to begin with, so now you want to stop poor people from even eating].

Another user simply wrote, “Not agree.”

Akhtar, a politician associated with Pakistan’s Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), previously served as Mayor of Karachi from 2016 to 2020.