Twitter reacts to PTI’s Hammad Azhar’s challenge to journalist Shahzeb Khanzada

Energy Minister of Pakistan, Hammad Azhar took to Twitter to challenge journalist Shahzeb Khanzada to a debate on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and gas.

Pakistan at present is facing a gas crisis throughout the country. Journalist Shahzab Khanzada, a year ago, had warned that the gas crisis was impending, kept reiterating that the crisis needs immense attention, otherwise the consequences shall be huge.

Khanzada called the minister on his political news programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ five times but each time the minister declined despite promising to appear on the show.

On Friday, Azhar took to Twitter and proposed a challenge.

“I would like to challenge Shahzeb Khanzada to debate LNG and Gas issues with me moderated by a neutral anchor and with Independent experts. Let the ppl [people] see the facts without persistent interrupting, volume controls, teleprompters etc,” tweeted Azhar.

I would like to challenge Shahzeb Khanzada to debate LNG and Gas issues with me moderated by a neutral anchor and with Independent experts. Let the ppl see the facts without persistent interrupting, volume controls, teleprompters etc.

— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) November 19, 2021

His words, “a neutral anchor” and “let the ppl see the facts without persistent interrupting, volume controls, teleprompters” caught a lot of criticism and sparked reactions from the Twitterati.

Senior Journalist Abbas Nasir wrote, “People are suffering acute gas shortages and this man wants to debate and not accept his abject failures.”

Lol. People are suffering acute gas shortages and this man wants to debate and not accept his abject failures. Bhai, proof of the pudding is in the eating. No gas=severe incompetence. Nothing to debate. https://t.co/OziQfbnOrP

— Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) November 19, 2021

Adil Shahzeb wrote, “Use of [a] teleprompter is a common practice globally for news shows (for OCs/monologues) to ensure accuracy and manage time (read rate).”

Use of teleprompter is a common practice globally for news shows (for OCs/monologues) to ensure accuracy and manage time (read rate). Almost all news show hosts use prompter in Pakistan incl Shahzeb and Kamran Khan! Ps: there is no promoter involved during the interviews! https://t.co/kD7dIhDG0B

— Adil Shahzeb (@adilshahzeb) November 19, 2021

Anchorperson Muhammad Junaid wrote, “Like PTI’s Favourite Stephen Sackur of BBC was made to sit in a debate moderated by a Neutral Anchor? There is no gas in thousands and thousands of households FIX THAT FIRST MR MINISTER!”

Like PTI’s Favourite Stephen Sackur of BBC was made to sit in a debate moderated by a Neutral Anchor? There is no gas in thousands and thousands of households FIX THAT FIRST MR MINISTER! https://t.co/S7hspUHGIc

— Muhammad Junaid Zafar (@junaidmuhammadd) November 19, 2021

Journalist Khurram Husain tweeted, “And how will this help plug our winter gas deficit?”

And how will this help plug our winter gas deficit? https://t.co/vqyJYyrPPr

— Khurram Husain (@KhurramHusain) November 19, 2021

Aimun, a Twitter user wrote, “Why? Are facts displayed on teleprompters not facts?”

A Twitter user wrote, “Rather than apologising for causing huge loss to the exchequer n discomfort to the public, this man wants a debate to address the issue.”

Rather than apologising for causing huge loss to the exchequer n discomfort to the public, this man wants a debate to address the issue. What @shazbkhanzdaGEO said is an undeniable reality, occurred under your watch.
The only honourable option available is immediate resignation. https://t.co/ykqtEOHLMD

— Azhar M Khan (@AzharMKhan3) November 19, 2021

Another Twitter user wrote, “My man’s out here trying to get air time rather than fixing the crisis.”

My man's out here trying to get air time rather than fixing the crisis. Y'all too funny and incompetent at the same time https://t.co/hpw3Sw21Tq

— Arqam 🇵🇸 (@arqaamm) November 19, 2021

Another person tweeted, “The big ‘tu mujhe bahar mil [meet me outside]’ energy.”

The big "tu mujhe bahar mil" energy https://t.co/6svhBQShVr

— qayamat se qayamat tk 🇵🇸🔻 (@theekhehai) November 19, 2021

Have to give it to Hammad for cultural authenticity. This is peak Lahori behavior.
"Tu menu kissi hor thaan tey mil, tenu mein dassan waddae senior tajziyakar https://t.co/Z2xrOxQAVM

— Jasir Shahbaz (@LahoreMarquez) November 19, 2021

Breaking: 6 year old boy impersonating a govt Minister demands bizarre rematch w unbothered and unconcerned journalist. Whereabouts of the child's bruised fragile ego from weeks ago remain unknown. https://t.co/NpSI0owiFv

— Dan Mir (@DanMir_musings) November 19, 2021

debate se nikalnay waali gas paani garam nahin karti. aap zara chholhay waali gas par dheyan kar lein https://t.co/eHk0MWdQvP

— bilal tanweer (@bilaltanweer) November 19, 2021

Last week, the government decided to provide gas to the residential sector only three times a day for cooking purposes throughout December to March to minimise gas shortages in Pakistan.