Firdous slaps PPP’s Mandokhail on set of TV show

LAHORE: A video of Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Qadir Mandokhail has gone viral, in which the two can be seen in a heated argument which leads to the former slapping the latter on the set of a TV show.

In the heated exchange during the television show, the two can be seen yelling at each other and hurling accusations of corruption, while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Azma Bukhari seemed to keep out of it.

Mandokhel accused Awan of corruption, after which she reportedly slaps him. Later, in a video statement on Twitter, Awan claimed Mandokhail had used foul language which angered her and that only a one-sided story was being shared in the video. She asked the TV channel to release the full video.

“During the talk show, PPP’s Qadir Mandokhail threatened me. He insulted my late father and me by using abusive language. I had to take an extreme step in my defence,” Awan said. She said that after consultation, legal action would be taken against Mandokhail.

Mandokhail countered Awan’s assertions in his own video statement on Twitter. “I cannot imagine using abusive language or hurling abuses against Firdous Ashiq Awan or any other woman. If Firdous Ashiq Awan apologises, I am willing to forgive her. We have been taught to respect women and be polite,” he wrote in his tweet.

In his video statement, he said: “If she apologises, I will sincerely forgive her. But if she opts for the legal route, I also have the option.” He said that is his constitutional and legal right, and added bar associations across the country had condemned her acts.

“The environment of mistreatment and disrespect should end, and I believe, this is not the first time Firdous Ashiq Awan Sahiba has done this. She has been doing such things,” Mandokhail said.

He later posted a scan of a statement from the Karachi Bar Association calling for Awan to apologise to Mandokhail.