The sudden move by the Pak PM got many talking online. (Source: AP, Twitter screengrab) In a surprising move, the official Twitter handle of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan unfollowed accounts it was following earlier and prompted questions about why this decision was taken.
According to Express Tribune, the Prime Minister was following the 19 Twitter handles, including former wife Jemima Goldsmith and some journalists.
The others handles followed by PM Imran included organisations that he is heading such as the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and Namal Institute in Mianwali.
Pakistani Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI unfollows everyone, including his ex-wife
Other leaders who do not follow anyone: @KingSalman @AlsisiOfficial @MohamedBinZayed @KingAbdullahII@TamimBinHamad @HadiPresident@General_Aoun – do you see a pattern here?https://t.co/yW8vRh4h4r
— Twiplomacy 😷 #WearAMask #StaySafe (@Twiplomacy) December 9, 2020
While initially some initially speculated it was an error, others wondered why he did it. The move prompted varied reactions on social media.
PM of Pak Imran Khan has unfollowed everyone on Twitter including his earlier wives
What can be the Reason ??
— Megh Updates 🚨 (@MeghUpdates) December 8, 2020
Imran Khan followed Shehbaz Sharif footsteps on Peshawar Metro. He followed Maryam Nawaz footsteps and started tweeting in urdu. And now following Nawaz Sharif footsteps and unfollowed the accounts he was following on Twitter to bring his following count to zero😄
— Maimoona (@LucidViews__) December 9, 2020
After world leaders refused to give further money, annoyed @ImranKhanPTI unfollowed everyone on twitter
— Naraaz Ahmed (@boyzpledwell) December 8, 2020
Imran Khan unfollowed everyone on Twitter… why immi why? Kisne dil tora tmhara…?
— Furqan (@LongAwaitedHero) December 8, 2020
PM Imran khan has unfollowed everyone on Twitter. I guess he was getting too many requests for a follow back.
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) December 7, 2020
Imran Khan visited Nawaz Sharif’s @NawazSharifMNS twitter timeline, realised NS does not follow anybody. Got angry that this might reflect poorly on him. Went back to his own timeline and unfollowed all his MNAs and ex-wife. 😂😂😋 pic.twitter.com/RQzPUq5YAQ
— باغی ™🔥 (@Blunt_Gujjar) December 7, 2020
Khan Sahb @ImranKhanPTI, if there’s one person you must never unfollow… It’s Jemima the gem.
— Mariam’s Madness (@MaddyForLabour) December 7, 2020
Imran Khan is following none on twitter now. Sub ko unfollow kr gya.. lagta hay hakoomat janay wali hay bhai ki..
— Kung Fu Panda 🐼 (@DragonWarriorr2) December 7, 2020
Those who have been unfollowed by khan sahab, kindly block him if he takes a U-turn and follow you again.. 😁
Imran Khan #attentionseeker
— Athar Saleem (@AtharSaleem01) December 8, 2020
Imran unfollowed me.. self-obcession at peak..🌝✌️ pic.twitter.com/jF7LnVnOak
— MaalKin🌱 (@hudaism) December 8, 2020
All the following of Imran Khan after being unfollowed by him. pic.twitter.com/uiuMghHcr8
— سدرہ :(: (@iam_sidrah) December 7, 2020
Imran khan unfollowed all to show us move on from everyone and your post there should be change in 2021 😂#BehindYouSkipper
— Hania Mir (@Hania_Mir22) December 7, 2020
Sacred Games Ki Tarha Sacred Numerology Ka Hisab Kitab Ka Taqaza Tha Kay Apna Following Number “0” Hona Chahey 😆😆#ImranKhan #imrankhanPTI #SexDrugsRocknRoll #Numerology #LottomanEmpire https://t.co/QUOh8GdbwV
— Unun-pentium (@FahadRafiq345) December 8, 2020
A spokesperson for Khan’s party urged people not to read too much into the matter.
“People can still see his tweets and he can still see their tweets,” Ahmad Jawad, the party’s central secretary of information told GEO TV Pakistan. He also denied that criticism from the public and journalists prompted the move.
Jawad maintained that the party and Khan still consider social media to be an effective medium and hadn’t lost trust in it.
