Go Nawaz Go (slogan)

Go Nawaz Go (Urdu: گو نواز گو‎) is a controversial Pakistani political and the widely chanted Slogan in Pakistan and worldwide by people which has been in use since the anti-government Azadi March and Inqilab March protests against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) respectively. The movements aimed for the resignation of Sharif, over claims of governmental manipulations in the 2013 general election.^[1] Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad, the leader of Awami Muslim League (Pakistan) initially introduced the anti-government chant after Nawaz Sharif refused to step down as Prime Minister in September 2014. The slogan was later popularised by Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf who ran a protest movement simultaneously. This chant was also used by Tahir ul Qadri the leader of Pakistan Awami Tehrik. ^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]} The slogan became vastly popular, receiving circulation in a short span of time, and its use has been extended into protests, public demonstrations, while also gaining popularity in non-political situations.

Usage

Over the past few months, the chant "Go Nawaz Go" has become hugely popular and used on many occasions. On some occasions, the controversial slogan was chanted where members, and ministers of the PMLN were present which caused the members and ministers as well relatives of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif to hurriedly leave the area to avoid the embarrassing situation.^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

Among the other notable incidents where the chant cause chaos. One was during a graduation ceremony in University of Peshawar, when a student refused to receive the graduation certificate from the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and chanted "Go Nawaz Go" causing a major embarrassment,^[13][14][15] while Karachi University also cancelled a ceremony in which laptops were to have been distributed amongst students, amid fears of slogan.^[16][17]

Interestingly, Gullu Butt, who is a supporter of Nawaz Sharif, also chanted "Go Nawaz Go" when he was sentenced to 11 years in jail but later got out by order of court.^[18]

Upon Nawaz visit to United States of America to attend 69th session of United Nation's General Assembly, a large number of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Protestants gathered outside the UN office and chanted "Go Nawaz Go".^[19]

After Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made some international tours to China, Germany and United Kingdom, Imran Khan said that Nawaz Sharif has misunderstood the meaning of "Go Nawaz Go", clarifying that, "Go Nawaz Go" does not mean going on international tours.^[20][21] Imran also announced to mark a day as "Go Nawaz Go Day".^[22]

Reaction

The Government got really scared of this slogan issue and raised challenged in Lahore High Court.^[23][24] Government also started a crackdown against those chanting the anti-Nawaz slogan and made numerous arrests.^[25] Pakistan Telecommunication Authority also instructed mobile phone operators to stop and curb the SMS's which include "Go Nawaz Go" characters.

Cultural Influence

Inspired by the slogan, a game named "Go Nawaz Go" was released on the Google App Store featuring a bat-wielding Imran Khan chasing a Nawaz Sharif.^[26][27] Many songs have been written dedicating the slogan which are regularly played in rallies. One such official song of Go Nawaz Go which is sung by Axis band Pakistan break the record of most viewed song for the Go Nawaz Go Campaign.

The official website of Indian Prime Minister Modi was hacked by Pakistani hackers and put "Go Nawaz Go" slogan on the main page to protest ^[28] while in another major website hack of Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, Nawaz Sharif was shown as Shrek and balled as "Go Ganja Go", "Go Tind Go" and "Go Kadu Go".^[29] The slogan also became one of the most used hashtags of the year on social media in Pakistan.

"Go Nawaz Go" campaign on currency bills was launched as well. Minister of Finance, Ishaq Dar and State Bank of Pakistan condemned the campaign of writing the political slogan on currency notes.^[30]

Other Follow-Up Slogans

Go Imran Go (Urdu: گو عمران گو) is a controversial Pakistani political slogan and chant which has been in use in Pakistan since the inception of public protest march campaigned by Pakistan Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In reaction to Go Imran Go, slogan "Go Imran Go" has been introduced against Imran Khan by Nawaz supporters

Go Ganjhay Go often chanted against Nawaz Nawaz Sharif for his poor performance, corruption charges and lies to the Nation before General Elections.

Similarly "Go Zardari Go" against former President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari^[31][32] as well "Go Bilawal Go" against the chairman of Pakistan People Party Bilawal Bhutto has also been introduced recently.^[33][34] Against, Shehla Raza, deputy speaker in the Sindh Assembly, "Go Shehla Go" was echoed in Sindh provincial assembly by Muttahida Qaumi Movement.^[35][36] Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, a veteran Pakistani politician, was greeted with "Sheeda Talli Haye Haye" and "Go Sheikh Go" by Nawaz supporters^[37] while Fazal-ur-Rehman, a Pakistani conservative politician and cleric is commonly referred as "Diesel" and "Go Diesel Go".^[38][39]

"Go Khatak Go" against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak is also chanted by rival party PMLN. ^[40][41]

"Go Misbah Go"^[42] chanted by Pakistani cricket fans against Pakistani ODI and Test cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq over his poor performance in ODI test series with Australia.^[43]

See also

• Azadi March
• Inqilab March
• Gullu Butt
• List of political slogans

links

• Go Nawaz Go Song on Youtube

References