Imran Khan, Bill Gates and chicken farming: PM responds to ‘colonized’ critics

Two days after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s chicken farming plans gathered criticism, he has come up with a response. Khan took to Twitter earlier today and cited an article on how Microsoft supremo Bill Gates shared similar sentiments in 2016, but did not receive the kind of backlash Khan has.

The article, that was published in Business Insider on June 8, 2016, reported Gates’ plans to tackle poverty via poultry.  Imran shared the story’s link and said: “For the colonized minds when desis talk about chickens combating poverty they get mocked, but when “walaitis” talk about desi chicken and poverty, it’s brilliance!”

For the colonised minds when desis talk about chickens combating poverty they get mocked, but when "walaitis" talk about desi chicken and poverty it's brilliance! https://t.co/bjvQQIVoRv

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 1, 2018

It’s clear PM Khan seems a little annoyed that his ideas were not welcomed as Bill’s, though both had practically said the same thing. Perhaps it was not Khan’s idea but choice of words that caused problems, at least that is what journalist Khurram Husain believes.

To be fair, a focus on poultry farming for the poor is not a bad idea, and there are precedents, such as Bill Gates and the PML(N) too. It's just the way he said it that is inviting so much humor. "Hum murgheon ko anday dein ge, bachay dein ge, unko teekay lagain ge…"

— Khurram Husain (@KhurramHusain) December 1, 2018

Now, for those who don’t know the back story behind all the social media criticism, here is what Khan actually said.

I want someone who looks at me like these women look at #ImranKhan when he talks about eggs hatching. 🥚 #TabdeeliKay100Din #PTI100Days pic.twitter.com/WMW95I4mql

— Shahryar Khan (@shahryar92) November 30, 2018

The premier said he and his party plan to provide rural women with chicken and eggs to help end poverty. That PTI wants poultry solutions to rural poverty woes.

 

But he was given a hard time for his choice of words. Read this article to see the reactions: ‘Eggonomics’: PM Khan’s poultry plans become laughing stock

Owing to all the stick he and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) received, Khan referred to Bill Gates’ plans and called out the critics. He also complained about discriminatory approach towards his plans.

What Bill Gates said

“These chickens are multiplying on an ongoing basis, so there’s no investment that has a return percentage anything like being able to breed chickens. The chickens are almost entirely a women’s activity, because it involves being around the household all day long,” Gates was quoted as saying by the Business Insider.

Pretty much what Khan said, or wanted to say.

But there’s only so much you can do to win the hearts of people. It seems that people are not impressed by the premier’s counter-argument either.

Okay, so Bill’s idea did not impress people either. In fact, it was considered offensive.

Here is how Bolivia responded to his suggestion in a "colonized" way. https://t.co/mXT6DZ2uWF

— Imran Khan (@iopyne) December 1, 2018

‘Hilarious’

Hilarious to see Insafians dig up a two year old article on the economic benefits of chickens as expounded by Bill Gates

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) December 1, 2018

‘Bill Gates didn’t get this rich by chicken farming’

Also, Bill gates didnt get this rich by chicken farming. I respect the hard working home farmers and it is definitely a way to supplement income for the poor but in no way can it be a pillar of your economic policy. capisce?

— Muhammad Usama Khan (@BohemianRevolt) December 1, 2018

‘Ap kyuon hein aisay?’ ?

Bolivia’s government said it is offended by Bill Gates’ initiative to donate 100,000 chickens to help impoverished nations, including Bolivia, worldwide. @ImranKhanPTI aap kyoun hein aisay? https://t.co/ZFUfidMfFV

— meena gabeena (@gabeeno) December 1, 2018

Here is an INTERESTING FACT about Bill Gates

Bill Gates has more dollars than you have seconds left in your life.

— What The F*** Facts (@WhatTheFFacts) November 30, 2018

‘Bill moved on’

Lol it’s great watching IK fanboys RT a 2016 article about Bill Gates’ Chicken poverty alleviation idea 😂 Someone tell these guys that Bill Gates himself has moved on from that idea and there are papers from business schools (top notch) explaining why this idea is unsustainable!

— شهاب صديقي (@HashUrTag) December 1, 2018

Khan’s idea was also well received in various circles.

‘People have a habit of laughing at what they don’t understand’

People has a habbit of laughing at what they don't understand.. making fun of brilliance & Intellect! From Cars to Aeroplanes to Mobile Phones, Science over Magic!
For those who made fun of Imran Khan over breeding of Chickens & Eggs.. This is for you lot!https://t.co/Ywgo1cnQAn

— Zᴜʙᴇᴇ (@zobi124) December 1, 2018

Here is what one of PTI’s official Twitter accounts have to say

Microsoft founder @BillGates launched a campaign to help extremely poor families in Africa by giving them chickens.

However, when PM Imran Khan talks about it, it becomes an issue.
Propagandists really can't rise above their hate! https://t.co/9QiGwpCeAA

— Tehreek-e-Insaf (@InsafPK) November 30, 2018

‘It was a genuinely good idea’

I don't exactly know why we need validation for a genuinely good idea by plugging in Bill Gates. @ImranKhanPTI 's explanation on poultry was an innovative way to look at things, and out of the box, thinking should be appreciated regardless of political affiliation. #Pakistanis

— Waqas Ahmed (@ahmedwaqas92) December 1, 2018

The reactions are mixed across various platforms, but if there is one thing that none can argue over is that Pakistan needs sustainable policies to end the economic crisis of present.

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