Claim: Shah Mahmood Qureshi (SMQ) slapped PM Khan’s Principal Secretary Azam Khan.
Fact: SAPM Shabaz Gill, PTI Focal Person on Digital Media Arsalan Khalid and SMQ have refuted the claim.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill has rebutted news reports claiming that Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is reportedly in hot water over his statement that strained ties between Islamabad and Riyadh, has slapped a top bureaucrat over his refusal to let the minister into PM Imran Khan’s office.
A private media outlet had earlier in the day claimed that a scuffle broke out between FM Qureshi and PM Imran’s Principal Secretary Azam Khan after the latter, earlier this week, barred the minister from entering the premier’s office, leading to a spat.
Citing sources, Abb Tak news had reported that Qureshi slapped the senior bureaucrat and entered PM Imran’s office. “He also complained to the premier about the principal secretary’s behaviour,” the report had claimed.
With the claim going viral on Tuesday evening, Dr Gill broke silence, saying that the government would also be approaching the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against the television channel.
He also tweeted to urge the channel to act responsibly when it came to reporting about prominent individuals such as the FM and the principal secretary.
Qureshi has also reportedly rebutted the claim. “I have not slapped Azam Khan,” he was quoted as saying by a private media outlet later in the day.
It is pertinent to note that the report comes a day after a foreign media outlet claimed that Qureshi was likely to lose his post and be replaced by Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari as the government and military mend ties with Saudi Arabia.
The claim had been denied by Focal Person to the PM on Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid.
VERDICT: MISLEADING
