I can’t believe the government is officially promoting yoga in Pakistan.
Apparently June 21st is International Day Of Yoga. And while yoga is immensely popular in our neighboring country, with scores of Indians from all social classes partaking in it; it is mostly a hobby for the educated classes in Pakistan. But seeing as the practice developed in the subcontinent centuries ago, it’s only natural that Pakistanis also practice it seeing as we’re from the same region.
So Pakistani Government just promoted the benefits of yoga
And maybe the benefits of this exercise given its history and origination in the region are what the government thought of when they decided to promote yoga on their social media for International Day Of Yoga.
The benefits of yoga provide both instant gratification and lasting transformation. In the fitness world, both are extremely important. Yoga can change your physical and mental capacity quickly while preparing the mind and body for long-term health. #YogaForHarmony #YogaForPeace pic.twitter.com/zPe76Nyeip
— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) June 21, 2019
But of course, people were not at all happy
What about Namaz???
— Rana Adnan Iqbal (@RanaAdnanIqbal3) June 21, 2019
and reminded the government that they already did yoga with Namaz.
Did you say this about #salah !!
Say and feel it— Ameen Swati (@Ameen_Swati) June 21, 2019
Offer Namaz we don't need yoga
— Dreamer🇵🇰 (@Dreamer4927) June 21, 2019
Some people believed this promotional campaign was an Indian saazish
Why tf is Pak Govt's official handle promoting a Modi Govt's world yoga day today?? https://t.co/yEURsYsGu2
— o (@wannabepakii) June 21, 2019
Modi g using @pid_gov account https://t.co/SHv5haGoe8
— عثمان الٰہی (@UECDR) June 21, 2019
Modi wrote letter to IK👇✉️ https://t.co/cVRfChcxjY
— Sahira Yousafzai (@Sahira_ZY) June 21, 2019
And of course, to further solidify the above mentioned conspiracy, along came the Indians to share a few thoughts of their own
It Sounds good That you are Following Atleast A Initiative Run By #India and @narendramodi On This #WorldYogaDay2019. 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
— Kamlesh Limbachiya 🇮🇳 (@Kamlesharts2012) June 21, 2019
Yoga tumse na hoga ….
— THE 5th VED (@5thVed) June 21, 2019
Sir @narendramodi tuwadda juwaab ni !
Aap kitna khyaal rakhte hai Pakistani aawaam ka bhi…👍😂😂😂#SabkaSaathSabkaVikas @aimaMK https://t.co/6tDAlA69NX
— BhaktiNaahHatredNaah (@NoBhaktiNoHate) June 21, 2019
The entire situation really wasn’t helped by the fact that in a what appears to be a now-deleted tweet the Government used a hashtag for Yoga Day which had an accompanying illustration of the Indian flag with it
Oops!
Ye delete kyu kiya tum logo ne?? India ka flag tha usme isliye?? 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Tum saale chhoti soch waale bhikari hi rahoge hamesha aur jaloge India pe.. pic.twitter.com/0s7wrpBIPh
— 91*55 (@i_poop_on_u) June 21, 2019
But of course, there were some level headed individuals who appreciated what the government was actually trying to do; promote health and fitness.
The only reasonable thing on the feed of Govt of Pakistan recently. https://t.co/5o6s18qNDO
— Tooba Syed (@Tooba_Sd) June 21, 2019
For those who are responding with "What about Namaz".. Yoga is a form of exercise while Namaz is a form worship.. Yoga can be done in addition to Namaz like any other exercise.!
— #YangGang (@kaxev) June 21, 2019
The replies under this tweet are totally ridiculous … people are happy to reject something that promotes peace and health, just because it originated in India… unbelievable
Hatred does not lead to better Heath, personal fulfillment or contentment #YogaForPeace https://t.co/wS4Wxsrh6H
— Khurram Qureshi (@fatherofyousaf) June 21, 2019
Honestly, the entire situation is not as dramatic as people are making it out to be. A tweet about yoga does not mean that the Pakistani government has been influenced by India. They just want Pakistanis to be fit and honestly, we need it.
What do you think about yoga given more importance in Pakistan? Let us know in the comments below.
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