On Monday, the Vice President’s “candid” pictures from the visit drew criticism for their similarity to Angelina Jolie’s 2010 Pakistan photos. Nawaz’s Twitter photos show her interacting with and hugging flood victims. She tweeted, “Heartbreaking.”
Heart wrenching ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/qVDyGkqToQ
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 29, 2022
Soon after, social media users trolled her for “using people’s grief and sorrow for her PR strategy” and called the execution a “rip-off of the 2010 Jolie visit to Pakistan.”
Cheap third class copy of #AngelinaJolie are roaming around in Pakistan. The whole family is desperately trying to be british. Shame on her. #MaryamNawaz went to met flood affected people of south Punjab with full protocol. Kuch to khuda ka khouf karain.#بغیرت_بڈھی pic.twitter.com/cN3VXkHS9S
— Zartaj Rathore (@RathoreZartaj) August 29, 2022
People on social media criticised Nawaz’s clothes, photo angles, “waste of taxpayers’ money,” and “insensitive carbon footprint” for bringing a dozen cars, security staff, motorcycles, and more to her visit during a climate change disaster.
A video of a flood victim infuriated users further. The victim claimed, “Maryam didn’t give anything, she just hugged people for a photo.” A Twitter user shared a collage of Angelina and Maryam and wrote, “Cheap third-class Angelina Jolie is roaming Pakistan.” The whole family is British. Disgraceful. Maryam Nawaz met with flood-affected people in south Punjab. “Fear God.”
They pretend in front of people that they care.But people don't know that he is just doing politics. #MaryamNawaz #PTIOfficial #ImportedGovernment pic.twitter.com/PF8sdZM8eq
— Jahangir Moughal official (@JahangirZM) August 29, 2022
Someone called her protocol “shameless.” Maryam Nawaz’s 63-car protocol/cavalcade for photo ops in Taunsa is shameless and shows the Sharifs’ complexes that come with looted and plundered money, not hard-earned or inherited. User: “Can’t believe she spent crores on official protocol just to have a photoshoot with flood victims like Angelina Jolie.” “Feeding elites with taxpayer money is very unfortunate.”
Shame on you @MaryamNSharif #MaryamNawaz #بغیرت_بڈھی felt like she only went there with such a huge security crew just to copy Angelina Julie & just to get clicked. May Allah give you the same pain & agony and no one comes to help you. Ameen pic.twitter.com/DRLQitMfDW
— DaniyaShah98 (@Daniyaashah) August 30, 2022
A tweet shows Maryam hugging a woman while another clicks photos on her left. They pretend to care. People don’t realise they’re doing politics. ” Another user found it hilarious. “Laughable.” Seriously? More than 32 million people lost their homes, families, and basic human needs, and this woman is worried about aesthetics. Being Angelina. mature. You? 12? “
It's laughable. Seriously ? More than 32 million people lost their houses , families , have no access to basic human needs and this woman here is worried about aesthetics . Trying so hard to be Angelina.Grow up .What are you ? 12 ? #AngelinaJolie #MaryamNawaz pic.twitter.com/fVePvyMFJF
— YourGuro 🇵🇰🇴🇲 (@notyour_guro) August 30, 2022
Since the last devastating floods 12 years ago, nothing has changed, said another user. “In 12 years, nothing has changed between Angelina Jolie and Maryam Nawaz. No preparedness, poor response, slow recovery and rehab, and no disaster prevention. Just repeat! Repeating history. ”
Angelina Jolie in 2010 and Maryam Nawaz in 2022, nothing has changed in 12 years. No preparedness, poor response, slowed recovery & rehab, and no prevention to minimize the impacts of future disasters. The cycle has just been repeated!
— Khizer Hayat Khan (@iKhizerHayat) August 29, 2022
A user questioned her contribution to the cause based on her appearance. “So much protocol for four photos. How much did you donate personally? We’re sure Maryam Nawaz spent two days on acrylics and microblading before these photos, using tax money.