By: Pooja Shrivastava
A tweet by British diplomat Christian Turner appears to have embarrassed Pakistan’s former cricket captain Wasim Akram.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner, took to Twitter this morning (7) to post a photograph of him carrying two big bags full of trash on his early morning walk.
“Another Friday morning walk, another two bags of litter. Safaai nisf imaan hai [cleanliness is half of faith],” he posted on Twitter with a picture of himself holding two bags full of garbage.
Another #FridayMorningWalk, another two bags of litter. Safaai nisf imaan hai cc @dcislamabad @hamzashafqaat @CleanGreenPK pic.twitter.com/JknF3go0Hy
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) May 7, 2021
Turner’s tweet seemed to have triggered a series of debates about public hygiene in the country.
Cricketer Wasim Akram tweeted how shameful the situation was for locals who continue to dump garbage in the area, as well as for the administration, who have no infrastructure and system in place to clean it. He has been vocal about pollution and climate change and has taken part in beach cleaning activities with his wife Shaneira.
“Now this is really embarrassing. Where are we heading ? And thanks Mr Turner for doing this almost every week. #safaainisfimaan,” tweeted Akram on the issue.
Now this is really embarrassing. Where are we heading ? And thanks Mr Turner for doing this almost every week . #safaainisfimaan https://t.co/38wCd9o3J5
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) May 7, 2021
Turner’s tweet also drew the attention of Islamabad deputy commissioner, Hamza Shafqaat, who praised Turner for the gesture. However, his comment was not taken kindly by netizens who criticised him for not being efficient enough. He later took to Twitter to clarify his statement.
“This comment is grossly misunderstood. I was just appreciating the efforts of @CTurnerFCDO to keep Islamabad clean. I would request everyone to not litter in forests. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep their surroundings clean,” Shafqaat tweeted.
This comment is grossly misunderstood. I was just appreciating the efforts of @CTurnerFCDO to keep Islamabad clean. I would request everyone to not litter in forests. It is everyone’s responsiblity to keep their surroundings clean. https://t.co/1gdhwiai8C
— Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat (@hamzashafqaat) May 7, 2021
Social media was filled with comments about lack of public hygiene and individual responsibility.
Thank you sir ! I hope that citizens of Islamabad can get together and follow suit. Most importantly stop littering the city and our beloved country.
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) May 7, 2021
British High Commissioner @CTurnerFCDO collecting littering during his morning walk from Islamabad. He reminded our Holy Prophet’s saying that “Cleanliness is the half of faith” Any of our Ambassador, Minister, Bureaucrat, Pir, Maulvi & even a common man would ever do like this? pic.twitter.com/0M226odi13
— Ch.Shakeel Gujar (@ChShakeelGujar) May 7, 2021
Why can’t people own their own rubbish and take is home to dispose it themselves responsibly.
There should be on the spot fines for offenders..
Well done @CTurnerFCDO for setting an example.— Smr (@umysmum) May 7, 2021
Need to change habbits. I would say heavy fine / Jail term if you through rubbish.
1. Their should be training in school for next generation.
2. Training at work clear your mess and Bin Disposal.
3. Respect sanitation worker. In Britain Sanitation worker treated respectfully— Imran Ali khan (@ImranAl14450104) May 7, 2021
Thank you so much sir. Apparently, it’s the duty of everyone to keep this country clean. And it’s such a shame that though cleanliness is half the faith is what’s taught to us by our religion, it’s reminded to us by a foreigner.
— Aitzaz (@AitzazwithA) May 7, 2021