Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

Video showing the moment goes viral on Facebook; earns social media users' ire who see the move as "elitist"

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Web Desk
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PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has drawn sharp rebuke from social media users over what has been termed an "elitist" move after he handed over a water bottle to Minister for Information Sindh Saeed Ghani for him to open it and give it back to him.

A video showing the moment went viral on Facebook in which Bilawal could be seen sitting alongside Ghani and Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah while addressing a press conference in Karachi.

The PPP Chairman picks up a bottle of water and for a moment attempts to open the plastic seal on the cap. Ghani is seen reaching out to assist him, even before Bilawal pushes the bottle his way, but people were furious nonetheless, questioning why he couldn't complete such a small task on his own.

One user was "annoyed" at how Ghani "threw" the seal and the bottle cap.

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

Similar sentiments were echoed by another commenter, saying the throwing of the wrapper is the "only issue" they have. "These are the manners they have," the user remarked.

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

Another user sarcastically remarked that the episode is a "great show of democracy recorded on camera", referring to the PPP's oft-repeated claim that they are the only truly democratic party in the country.

"He should have just held the bottle for him too as he drank from it," they said, adding: "It would have been an even greater show of democracy."

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

One user said that it was a big deal that he even passed on the bottle himself when he could have avoided doing that even. "Give credit where it's due," the user wrote.

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

Seeing the upside to it all, this user pointed out that offering someone water to drink is a good deed and thus Ghani will be rewarded for it.

"One should not create a mountain over a molehill like this," they said.

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

This user, however, was not in as kind a mood, and called the series of events a black mark that represents our political system".

"They think those around them to be their servants, what to say of the public.

"Even Oxford could not put a dent [in such behaviour]," the user wrote.

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

This person wondered if Bilawal would have "burned 25 calories" had he opened the bottle cap himself.

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

Some users spoke out in support of Bilawal, with this user pointing out that the youth is just "running out of reasons" to hate Bilawal.

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

Another user said this was totally "normal" when you have 20 cameras facing you and are the centre of attention. The user called for people to look at things in a better way.

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him

One user dismissed the entire drama, saying it was "just a courteous moment".

Bilawal under fire for handing over water bottle to Saeed Ghani to open it for him