Last night, Fawad Chaudhry, the Federal Minister for Science and Technology allegedly slapped, senior journalist and anchorperson Sami Ibrahim during a heated debate at a wedding. You heard that right, the Minister seems to be resentful towards the recent change in his post that he couldn’t handle his temper and SLAPPED the journalist right there!
https://twitter.com/TheSaniKhan1/status/1139759798684045312
What the Minister doesn’t seem to understand is that a verbal conflict is one thing but physical assault is a whole new level of crossing the line.
Last time I checked, government officials were supposed to have enough tact to have a debate despite their differences. That’s the whole point of a debate, isn’t it? People are supposed to be entitled to their own opinions and even when someone attacks you verbally, it doesn’t give you the right to use your physical strength.
We might not agree with Sami Ibrahim on many levels but I don’t think this can ever be justified.
Khair, previously, the two have apparently been involved in a feud on social media where the Minister’s words were quite unsavory, to say the least.
Have initiated criminal proceedings against #PoniTail and his abbu jan for defamation another #Tidda must know I saved him in the past from many cases he is too small physically and mentally lesson ll be taught as per law
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) June 14, 2019
So after the events that took place, Sami Ibrahim has filed an FIR against Fawad Chaudhry.
Sami Ibrahim lodged FIR application against fawad chaudhry. #SAMIIBRAHIM pic.twitter.com/Yw5A5n7pKG
— Rizwan Yousaf (@rizwangill318) June 15, 2019
Also, the Journalist’s Union is asking for a befitting punishment for the Minister.
طمانچہ سمیع ابراہیم کے چہرے پر نہیں پاکستان کی صحافت اور جمہوریت کے منه پر ہے ۔ صحافی اور صحافی یونین ، پریس کلب اس آمرانہ عمل پر احتجاج کرتے ہیں۔فواد چودھری کو سزا دینا ہوگی ۔ آمریت کا مقابلہ کرنے والے صحافیوں کو دبایا نہیں جا سکتا#juranalist #PMIK #PMLN #ppp #PTI
— Arif Hameed Bhatti (@arifhameed15) June 14, 2019
And, well …. Fawad Ch is trying to justify his actions.
آپ کو غصہ صرف امیر anchors کیلئےکیوں آتا ہے جب عابد راہی جیسے سیلف میڈ غریب صحافیوں کو سمیع ابراہیم جیسےمافیاز تنخواہیں نہیں دیتے اس وقت آپ کی صحافت خطرے میں کیوں نہیں آتی؟دراصل صحافت کو خطرہ زرد صحافیوں سے ہے اور زرد صحافت کیخلاف مہم چلانا ہو گی #NoToYellowJournalism https://t.co/XRgf7Yjkbe
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) June 15, 2019
He’s trying to play the ‘why-is-your-anger-only-for-rich-anchors’ card, but what we really need is an apology to fix things, not a start to a whole another debate. Anyway, in light of the given fiasco, the internet has been going crazy.
People are standing up for Sami Ibrahim – even PTI supporters.
https://twitter.com/aeiman_ali/status/1139757774739582976
I think Fawad Chaudhary is too frustrated after losing information ministry & Sami Ibrahim was also trying to expose his connections with PPP, thus he took out all his frustration this way. Disgusting stuff!#SAMIIBRAHIM pic.twitter.com/4r4Ha8v0OH
— Fasih Uddin (@Fasih_Uddin) June 15, 2019
Some even shared clips of PM Imran Khan as a reference.
Heard Fawad Chaudry slapped the anchor #SAMIIBRAHIM in a wedding? You know who his leader is? 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/1AhBgrTY3e
— purani meena (@PuraniMeena) June 15, 2019
It was also mentioned by some that while they don’t agree with Sami Ibrahim, they still condemn physical assault.
https://twitter.com/shafqat120/status/1139707704551849984
https://twitter.com/Rumisticc_Here/status/1139748336565673984
And well… since he’s the Minister for Science and Technology, sarcasm was used accordingly.
I think Fawad Chaudhry was calculating the force used to slap Sami Ibrahim & the intensity of sound produced as a result of it.
(Since he is minister of science & technology)#PTI #SamiIbrahim #FawadChaudhry
— Abdul Rehman Tiwana (@GCAbdulRehman) June 14, 2019
Then it was suggested for the PM to save his 22 years of struggle from going down the drain.
https://twitter.com/Dr_fizakhan/status/1139671938274643971
Moreover, it was suggested that he needs to get a grip on his party.
https://twitter.com/primafacie07/status/1139729502295269376
PTI supporters also couldn’t defend this.
Being physically harsh with anyone is totally not acceptable specially when you are a public office holder.
We are PTI supporters but that doesn't mean we will defend wrong deeds of PTI family.
We will always stand with the right side.🇵🇰✌#FawadChaudhry#SAMIIBRAHIM
— Nabeel Khokhar (@NabeelJkhokhar) June 15, 2019
It was also highlighted that we cannot let such ridiculous behavior go unnoticed.
What We are Teaching to Our #GENERATIONS Is it Acceptable in a Civilized Society? Slapping Anyone on Difference Of Opinion is Condemnable and Ridiculous. Dear @PTIofficial @ImranKhanPTI Will You Come Forward with Accountability Msg and Action Against @fawadchaudhry #SAMIIBRAHIM pic.twitter.com/VB0yuWtUSJ
— Dr. Meraj Siddiqui (@DrMerajS) June 15, 2019
And that the Minister will have to save his credibility now.
Fawad chowdhary is really frustrated now a days bec of losing his fvrt ministry .I may not agree with Sami abraham views but slapping him being a public rep is shameful act. FC shld apologize on media and clear this issue othrws he will lose his credibility . #SAMIIBRAHIM pic.twitter.com/hiPOibc6S5
— WM Shakir (@shakir_wazir) June 15, 2019
People wondered why the patience required for these posts was not being exercised.
@fawadchaudhry This is ridiculous. You ought to be patient when you have higher portfolio. PM @ImranKhanPTI should sack him coz his behaviour is not akin to what is expected out of a minister #SAMIIBRAHIM pic.twitter.com/Xjjz7AhHMi
— Pablo esko maar (@whirlingDirvesh) June 15, 2019
Khair, whatever the outcome may be for the Minister of Science and Technology, this isn’t appropriate behavior, and that’s the bottom line. In a newer version of Pakistan, these petty, old ways cannot be allowed to continue.
What is your take on this? Let us know.
