A video of a heated exchange between the imam and the worshippers of a mosque in Hayatabad Phase 7, Peshawar, has gone viral on social media. The incident occurred on Friday, during the prayer sermon, when the imam reportedly made derogatory remarks against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted from power in April 2022.
According to local sources, the imam of the mosque sat on the pulpit and started to criticize Khan’s policies and performance, blaming him for the economic and political woes of the country. This angered some of the worshippers, who interrupted the imam and asked him to stop his political rant and focus on religious matters. A heated argument ensued, and some of the worshippers tried to force the imam off the pulpit, while others defended him.
The video of the clash, which was recorded by a bystander, shows the imam shouting and gesturing at the crowd, while some of the worshippers are seen pushing and shoving each other. The situation was eventually calmed down by the intervention of some elders, who managed to restore order and resume the prayer.
The video has sparked a debate on social media, with some users condemning the imam for abusing his position and disrespecting the former prime minister, who is still popular among many Pakistanis. Others defended the imam, saying that he had the right to express his opinion and that Khan deserved to be criticized for his failures and corruption.
Imran Khan, who led the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was elected as the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan in August 2018, after running on a platform of anti-corruption and reform. However, his tenure was marred by economic turmoil, rising inflation, political instability, and a strained relationship with the powerful military. In April 2022, he became the first prime minister to be removed from office through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, following allegations of misusing his authority and violating the Official Secrets Act.