During a talk show of a private TV channel, Abrar-ul-Haq talked about his contest with Ahsan Iqbal in the elections of 2013 and 2018.
The singer said that he could categorically state that Ahsan Iqbal lost the last two elections to him. He questioned how Ahsan Iqbal could have won, and added, “Wherever he (Ahsan Iqbal) went, someone threw a shoe at him or would shoot him.”
When the TV host protested on this comment, Abrar asked him why was he condemning the sentiments of people.
He added that he could not condemn the sentiments of the people.
https://twitter.com/awaissaleem77/status/1210622795316703232?s=20
The singer’s comments received criticism on social media. One user argued that the singer was part of the propaganda campaign which resulted in Ahsan Iqbal getting shot, and now he was glorifying the act as public sentiment.
https://twitter.com/SoheeraS/status/1210633828731162624?s=20
Journalist Murtaza Ali Shah stated that Abrar-ul-Haq was openly encouraging violence and termed it fascism.
https://twitter.com/MurtazaViews/status/1210616306871029760?s=20
One user shared an old clip from Abrar-ul-Haq’s campaign in which he was using the religion card to criticise his opponent. While referring to PML-N, the singer could be seen telling the crowd that this party was not ‘Muslim’ league but ‘Munkir’ (Denier) league – a term used to refer to non-Muslims.
https://twitter.com/sumair_pk/status/1210804330808279041?s=20
In May 2018, while campaigning for the elections, Ahsan Iqbal was shot and wounded in Narowal district. The man who shot him was found to be affiliated with Tehreek-e-Labaik.