Two countries, two leaders, two news: Imran Khan's PTI attacks PM Modi in targeted tweet

Pakistan continues its smear campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This time on the treatment of minorities. Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over the growing cases of cow lynchings in India, the ruling party of Pakistan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) posted a tweet comparing Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
The tweet compares the leaders' treatment of religious minorities through an image. "Two countries, two leaders, two days, two news" reads the image. Making the case for Imran Khan's secular leanings the image shows a news clipping of recent decision by the Pakistani PM to declare the ancient Hindu religious site of Panj Tirath in Peshawar as national heritage.
Under the column for Indian Prime Minister Modi is the headline "Muslim man lynched to death over an allegation of cow theft in India".
The headline is a reference to an incident that took place in Bihar's Araria district on December 29. A 55-year-old man, identified as Mohammad Kabul, was allegedly beaten to death by an irate mob of around 300 people over suspicion of cattle theft.

The stark difference is further mentioned in the caption of the post, "Prime Minister Imran Khan believes in humanity and minority rights. Kartarpur corridor is proof of this. While in India minorities are murdered in the name of religion. This is the difference which makes Imran Khan an esteemed leader."
The Imran Khan government has continued to compare the treatment of minorities in Pakistan and India. In December, the Pakistani prime minister had said minorities would be treated as equal citizens in "Naya Pakistan", "unlike what is happening in



India".
Days before that, when a controversy brewed in India over actor Naseeruddin Shah's comments on rising religious intolerance in the country, Khan said he had resolved to "show" Narendra Modi government how rights of every countryman are preserved.
"We will show the Modi government how to treat minorities...Even in India, people are saying that minorities are not being treated as equal citizens," he had said in reference to Naseeruddin Shah's statement.
Indians across fields, from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, MP Asaduddin Owaisi, cricketer Mohammad Kaif and even Naseeruddin Shah himself had slammed Khan for his jibe.
In a tweet, Owaisi had said Khan should instead take a lesson from India's inclusive politics and minority right.
"According to the Pakistani Constitution, only a Muslim is qualified to be President. India has seen multiple Presidents from oppressed communities. It's high time Khan sahab learns something from us about inclusive politics & minority rights," the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief said.
Shah had called Khan's suggestion self-serving.
He said, "It was a self-serving statement which he made for the benefit of his own countrymen, really."
Asked if he was telling Imran Khan to back off, Shah said: "Exactly. These matters don't concern you. Look at your own house."
When a Pakistan minister had called the Kartarpur corridor a "googly" bowled by former cricketer Imran Khan, the comment was strongly protested by India.
"Foreign Minister of Pakistan - Your 'googly' remarks in a dramatic manner has exposed none but you. This shows that you have no respect for Sikh sentiments. You only play 'googlies'," tweeted Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.