Internet reacts to President Zardari's shaky speech on March 23

The internet has reacted to President Asif Ali Zardari’s speech on March 23, which was marked by several fumbles, mispronunciations, awkward pauses, and a trembling voice.

A special parade marking Pakistan Day was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, with President Asif Ali Zardari as the chief guest.

Contingents of the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force participated and presented a salute. Fighter jets from the Pakistan Air Force performed a fly-past during the event. Foreign diplomats and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.

During the 23rd March Pakistan Day Parade, the President delivered a speech in which he was heard struggling to pronounce certain words, leaving the internet divided, with some mocking him while others were concerned about his health.

One user, while sharing a short clip of the shaky address, captioned it, “Due to being overly excited, the words were slipping away.”

Another asked, “Who wrote such difficult words?” while someone quipped, “Hence Proved that Urdu is indeed a difficult language!”

Some users expressed concern about his health. One wrote, “Not really his mistake. But aged factor. This is the same person who was once consider the master of politics in Pakistan. Despite criticism, his party’s contribution to the Pakistan should also be acknowledge.”

An internet user commented, “Age and health spare no one. Whatever our differences, we should show some humanity,” while another said, “It’s painful to see someone in such a state on such an important occasion. Hope he is okay.”

“No one should have to go through this in front of the whole nation. May he be well,” wrote another user on X (formerly Twitter).

“Broken words, trembling voice, disconnected thoughts, stumbling delivery—in this speech by the President of Pakistan, the country's democracy is speaking. It is trembling, disjointed, and fragmented, much like the connection the public has with this government and state, which is as distant as the sense (meaning) in President Asif Ali Zardari’s words in this speech,” opined another user.

Despite all the setbacks, the President delivered the speech. “We are a resilient nation capable of overcoming challenges. We will not hesitate to make any sacrifice for the protection of our homeland. We have successfully faced internal and external terrorism and will eradicate it from the root,” Zardari asserted.

Referring to India, President Zardari said it has always viewed Pakistan with hostility, but Pakistan remains committed to becoming a strong, modern Islamic welfare state. He assured that the nation stands united with the armed forces to eliminate the menace of terrorism.