Pakistan Independence day advertisement controversy: Malabar gold claims they were not aware

The post has since been removed.

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A Facebook post on Malabar gold and diamond's page over Pakistan's Independence Day has become a source of controversy for the jeweller.

The company later claimed that it was done by an international advertising agency, without the consent of the management.

Though the post was withdrawn within a few hours, it garnered a million likes. The ad posted by Malabar Gold was to urge its customers to participate in a quiz competition arranged by the brand in relation with Pakistan's Independence Day, which falls on August 14.

“Participate in the Pakistan's Independence Day Quiz with Malabar Gold and Diamonds and you could win some exciting gift vouchers," the Facebook ad read.

However, in a report by The Times of India the company has clarified that they were not aware about it as an international company takes care of their ad campaigns. The management also said that the advertisement was designed at an international level as the brand has its showrooms in many other countries.

“We have branches in Gulf countries and the international agency that is handling the business shapes marketing strategies targeting each customer group. Recently they designed a campaign for the Philippines and the success of the campaign might have prompted the agency to look for more such ventures,” Amjad Hussein, marketing director of Malabar Gold in India told ToI.

However, though the post has been removed, screen shots of it has been doing the rounds on social media, criticising the jeweller.

A telephone conversation in which an irritated man can be heard questioning someone at Malabar Gold has also gone viral on WhatsApp.