Sidhu Moose Wala’s picture was used for election campaign in Pakistan
Photos of slain Indian singer-songwriter Sidhu Moose Wala with reference to his chartbuster song ‘295’ have appeared on election hoardings in Pakistan, apparently to capitalize on his popularity in the upcoming by-elections in the country’s Punjab province. With the by-election to the PP 217 seat located in the Multan region in Pakistan’s Punjab province taking place, Mousse Wala’s photo was used on hoardings of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party Tehreek-e-Insaf alongside Zain Qureshi. Incidentally they have sons. According to News International newspaper, former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, 28, also known as Sidhu Moose Wala, was shot dead on May 29 in Mansa district of the Indian state of Punjab, a day after the state government ordered the singer and 423 people to die. The security cover was temporarily cut. The report said that election posters show a picture of Moosawala with the number ‘295’ written on it, a reference to the singer’s popular number.
The song is a commentary on the Indian Penal Code section that deals with hurting religious sentiments. The by-elections are to be held on July 17.
When Zain Qureshi was asked about Musewala’s picture on the election hoarding, he expressed ignorance. He told BBC Urdu, “I want to thank all those who have printed the picture of Sidhu Moose Wala on the poster because this poster has become very viral because of his picture. None of our posters have gone so viral before.”
The leader said: “They are trying to find out who printed the picture on the poster and the reason behind it”. Moose Wala has a loyal fan base in Pakistan, which explains why his picture was used for the by-elections. Last month, a 30-year-old artist named Shahzad Bhatti from Pakistan’s Punjab province painted a giant portrait of Moose Wala on a truck to pay tribute to the popular singer-songwriter.
The tribute was special as truck art in Pakistan is usually reserved only for the country’s national heroes.
Before his death, Moose Wala promised fans to tour Pakistan with live shows in Lahore and Islamabad.