President Dr Arif Alvi has condemned the unnecessary controversy generated on social media on his not attending the funeral prayers of the martyrs who lost their lives in the military helicopter crash in Balochistan on Aug 1, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday. 

In late last night series of tweets, President Alvi wrote: “There is unnecessary controversy on why I did not attend Janaza of the Shaheeds recently. This gives me an opportunity to condemn in unequivocal terms the despicable tweets by those who are neither aware of our culture or our religion.”

https://twitter.com/ArifAlvi/status/1555628119192731648

“When respect for Shahadat is also present in the Quran, how can we desecrate the memory & the sacrifice of those whom Allah has given eternal life. Like all Pakistanis I have admired the Shuhuda all my life. Since you, the Pakistani people have put me in this office of ۔۔۔ امانت

https://twitter.com/ArifAlvi/status/1555628121654706179

“I have called hundreds of families, have attended Janazas and visited them to offer my condolences. On your behalf I consider it my duty to do so. The families have been proud, but we all recognize the sad & personal loss in this world.”

https://twitter.com/ArifAlvi/status/1555628124443910145

“It is specially difficult to condole with families where young children are the survivors. When the family members have cried, I have cried. There is no doubt in my mind that Pakistan is safe only because of their ultimate sacrifices. That is what makes me proud of Pakistan”۔

https://twitter.com/ArifAlvi/status/1555628126847336449

Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said “certain insensitive quarters” resorted to hurtful and derogatory comments on social media, which was “unacceptable”.

“The regretful social media campaign after the unfortunate helicopter crash on Aug 1 has caused deep anguish and distress among shuhada (martyrs’) families and rank and file of the armed forces,” the ISPR stated in a press release issued on Friday.

“While the whole nation stood with the institution in this difficult time, certain insensitive quarters resorted to hurtful and derogatory comments on social media, which was unacceptable and highly condemnable,” it added.