Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. PHOTO: ASIM SHAHZAD
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif escaped a shoe attack at the South Asia Labour Conference in Lahore, Express News reported on Thursday.
The attacker turned out to be TV channel Awaz's Bureau Chief of Lahore, Imdad Ali, who threw a shoe at the Punjab chief minister but missed his target. The police arrested him after Shahbaz left the hotel at which the conference was taking place. The chief minister, however, ordered the release of the journalist.
“Nobody here supports journalists. I threw my shoe at him in protest. People who attacked senior journalist Hamid Mir should be arrested,” Imdad Ali said.
Shahbaz has now joined the list of high-ranking officials who have been attacked by shoes. On March 29, a shoe was hurled at former president Pervez Musharraf by an angry protester. Arbab Ghulam Rahim was also struck by a shoe hurled by a Pakistan Peoples Party supporter when he was still the Sindh chief minister.
Shoes have been thrown at international leaders such as former US secretary of state Hilary Clinton, former US president George W Bush and former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the past as well.
Conference
The South Asia Labour Conference, which was inaugurated by Shahbaz, kicked off today. It aims to strengthen cooperation among SAARC countries, identify common gaps in labour market governance, compliance with international labour standards and labour productivity in South Asia.
Participants of the conference will explore joint regional strategies to improve labour productivity and enhance labour competitiveness.
COMMENTS (77)
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Cheif minister mian shahbaz sharif is a polite and humble politician.i think he will not take revenge from the gernalist who did the mistake to show his ability.everybody know shahbaz sharif not only he is a good leader but also a good peerson ido not think he took the revenge ln past to anybody.
It is very shameful for Shabaz Sharif to be facing such a situation in his home town and his Provincial Capital. I guess he is not doing a good job. What obstruction is he facing from providing for his Province. His brother is a Prime Minister. He get to travel to foreign tour with his brother to promote interest of Punjab. Punjab is taken care by establishment from Central and Provincial Government.
I support Imran Khan but the act of this journalist is shameful. At least shahbaz sharif is doing something for the people of Punjab.
@Aisha Qazi:
Had PML-N or the CM felt insulted, that journalist would not have been let go and instead he would have been receiving the legendary third degree associated with our Police right now. Instead of the shoe missing his intended target, the journalist should thank his lucky star that the CM intervened to make sure that his limbs remained intact.
If PML-N believes in "freedom of expression" they should not feel so insulted. Anyhow, the shoe thrower missed the intended target!
@Sidra: Why ? What has he done ?
If i had to show that i have problem with him, i would in the last minutes of the speech l, have requested him to listen to me in front of the audience, after the conference is over. And I would have introdroduced myself followed by my complaint in short to make him answer infront of the foreigners and the guests.. Thats the professional and civilized way!!! Going out of the conference hall with one shoe and hands tied is not a protest but disrespecting urself :)
It's a bad taste what ever the reason might be the element of respect must be maintained by all national or international journalist's a conduct of code should be maintained , it's simply a childish immature act they should try to decpline themselves first , then bring light to their cause .
shahbaz sharif is our hero
@Waseem Sarwar:
Care to tell us as to what's wrong in South Punjab? In the last five years culminating on May 11th 2013, PPP and its allies tried to malign PML-N on the issue of South Punjab and drawing the divide between the South and Tahkt-e-Lahore. On May 11th, 2013 all those elements who were trying to divide a province on racial and ethical lines were routed from politics including the Gillani clan and handed reposed complete trust in PML-N and its leadership.
I can appreciate you being a hater but there has to be a method in it as well. Sadly you are an ignorant novice.
@Waseem Sarwar:
Don't hate playa........hate the game!
@Adnan Siddiqi: Ha voting! The last election proved that voting is a sheer waste of time.
It is very shameful for Shabaz Sharif to be facing such a situation in his home town and his Provincial Capital. I guess he is not doing a good job. What obstruction is he facing from providing for his Province. His brother is a Prime Minister. He get to travel to foreign tour with his brother to promote interest of Punjab. Punjab is taken care by establishment from Central and Provincial Government.
@excalibur:
May 11th Sunday kay Sunday Funday Burger Group congregation, this time with Allama Canadvi! Buhahahahahahahahahaha......You surely are a funny boy. As I have always maintained; the trolls of Deen-e-Imrani and Mushraaf League are one and the same.
Keep you hopes up high my friend. You would be crying like this for a very long time to come. PML-N all the waaayyyyyyyy! I challenge Mush to quit being a coward that he is and show himself out of the protection of a bomb/bullet proof vehicle.
@Umar Usman Ch.: Entire youth? Next time someone else will pop his head and will claim that even the rivers and mountains of whole world are disturbed by this shoe throwing incident. You speak for yourself to better represent yourself. Don't put the blame on entire youth. :)
@Adnan Siddiqi: lol. "further unassailable heights of excellence". You are kidding.
SS order release of that person. It show sense of responsibility & understood people anger. I think SS is sincere politician.
@Proud to be Muslim: Exactly. That's the biggest problem too. Lahore is good place to live but what about the rest of Punjab? Ever heard the South Punjab? SS is responsible for whole province and his elder brother, for whole country.
What goes round comes around
The marksman should be punished for missing the target but come May 11 and we will have many more
When Mush was the victim it was a field day for Noonies Now Get a taste of your own shoe please
@Rambo Bambo:
A lot of people have tried to prove their association with me or claim to know me. Get a number and stand in the line, sunny boy.
@Sidra: Very good.But please tell me what would you say if a shoe is thrown at some PPP dignitary? Do not we have double standards?
If the poor shoe-thrower journalist has been released, please ensure that his shoe is also returned. Our CM must move on mobile glass house, like the one used by the Pope's when he is on a trip abroad or put a 'net' similar to cricket practising one or a 'machardani' for complete protection.
@somebody:
Though I do not accept the act by the journalist....CM SS does not deserve it, but having said that CM SS is the CM of Punjab, but except Lahore he has ignored all other areas of South Punjab & many areas in North Punjab, which is churning out jihadist elements as they are exploited by numerous madrassas....most of them un-registered.
Lot of N-league troll. I think they may have got a free laptop. Shahbaz Sharif deserve more than that. What they have delivered in 25 yrs a Jangla Bus Service. He did so coz Turkey was paying good commision for that which goes in his pocket.
I have noticed one thing; ugly people are always corrupt and ugly inside. If you find a person ugly at the first glance, he's most likely a really corrupt and ugly person inside. And I'm talking about the journalist...
Unlike unique events included in the Youth Festival, Throwing a shoe on a target and the target saves being hit can also be considered a sports event. Now, Who in the Punjab Govt going to invite representative from Guinness World Records to come certify CM Punjab qualifying in this event.
@Adnan Siddiqi: ....and you actually think that the people REALLY voted this lot in. If the voting system remains ( as I am afraid it will ) we will still get inept leaders, because they are the only ones lined up for the people to vote for........Catch - 22 is it not.
Mian Sahib is a noble personality. I am sure he will not take revenge.
Very sad. I condemn the act. This is not a good tradition. Shahbaz Sharif is the most hard working, patriotic and dedicated politician. As per international agencies, there is the least corruption in Punjab as compared to other provinces. He should be appreciated on it. There should be only constructive opposition; not just opposition for the sake of opposition. His good deeds should be appreciated and valued. If he does something wrong, he should be asked by opposition to change his way. But overall he is far far better that CMs of other provinces.
@FREEMAN, which world you are living?
East or west Shahbaz Sharif is the best
@Waseem Sarwar: Dear just because I used to live in different parts of the country, so I can easily say that Lahore is easily the best place to live in Pakistan.
@Adnan Siddiqi: my problem is your bald head.
May SS go on to scale further unassailable heights of excellence and good governance. Haters can get a life!
Welcome to the club brother.... Don't worry they will continue to miss hitting us but we will hit them hard when cameras are not around ....lol
Sincerely,
George Bush & Hillary Clinton
.. now it became a political tradition to throw shoes on politicians... but Alas!!... they deserve it too...
Entire youth condemns this event. Shahbaz Sharif is our leader. He is our hero. The shoe was thrown on the face of democracy.
It should be probed who sent the man to do such a dirty act. I am sure that some opposition political party is behind the same.
Black day for journalism. The act should be strongly condemned. My prayers for my beloved Mian Sahib. Opponents need not become happy. I think they should also condemn it.
Allah give health, progress, success and long life to Shahbaz Sharif. Aameen.
@Parvez:
Its just the kind of mentality because of which the whole wide world has condemned us to into the bottom of the pit.
If people are disgusted at inept governance, they will vote out the rulers in 2018. What's your problem?
Don't celebrate such events; Throwing a shoe is an easy job and anybody can throw it. Tomorrow it may be thrown at IK, Pervez Khattak, Zardari etc. (and it will then again be a condemnable act.) After all This offense has no consequences according to our law.
@Proud to be Muslim: Who is sincere, shahbaz sharif, OHHHH they are sincere only with there assets not with country. The just want to promote there business nothing else..
They deserve more than one shoe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shoe or no shoe.........PIA and Pak Steel will keep bleeding the nation and will not be privatised..........I say throw the other she as well possibly they get the message that the people are disgusted with inept governance.
The culprit has defamed the noble profession of journalism. I am a student of journalism and I am ashamed today. The journalist has thrown shoe on the voters who elected Shahbaz Sharif.
This is disgraceful act by the so call journalist. Shahbaz Shareef is the most honest and successful CM, at least within Pakistan. I strongly condemn the action of the journalist.
I have no doubt on sincerety of shehbaz sharif with Pakistan. He is the most hard working and sincere politician. All hats off for Mian Sahib.
The CM should instead ask the police to find out from this dude as to who put him up to this shenanigan in the first place.
Shahbaz Sharif should continue his work with even more dedication. Hearts of opponents will continue burning.
All my love and respect for Shahbaz Sharif. He is working with full devotion despite numerous obstacles. Opponents are doing opposition just for the sake of opposition.
@logic: i know bro, my mom never missed single one she threw at me
Will CM go to journalist house and ask why he was upset with him which forced him to throw shoe on him?Do CM have courage like Kajerwal?
They spent full education & health budget of south punjab on a highway. they deserve it. attacker should have target his bald head.
@noon hai janoon: Hanged for just throwing shoe at him? How about slapping thi tot batot who cant bring justice to innocent 6th grade girl rape victims
shahbaz sharif is a patriotic leader. I salute his patriotism. The journalist did wrong. He has defamed the profession of journalism.
Very bad act done by the journalist. He should be punished. I feel sorry for those who are enjoying this event. Shehbaz Sharif is elected by public. He is the representative of public. Shoe thrown on him is actually shoe thrown on public. Shame.
shabaz sharif great man
shaba sharif great great man
Shahbaz Sharif is the most successful Chief Minister. He has done a lot for the province but opponents will continue criticizing. Allah bless him.
I strongly condemn this act. Shame for that journalist.
What they have done for the poor?
@Logic; Panic !?
@logic: Thee idea of slaping worked quite well in Kejriwal case :P
The journalist did the wrong thing.
Shoe throwing is the best sign of dispproval r than eggs or tomatoes throwing as long as it is a miss and does not hurt.!
@Proud to be Muslim: and would you take a moment off from your work and explain how?
The 1st good thing so far learnt by pakistanis from the civilized nations. Wish them much more and to many more.
ALLAH bless Shahbaz Sharif. All my prayers for this great man.
i wonder what was his grudge, better to find the root cause first.
Welcome to the club Mr Sharif
Shameful act by journalist to be part of news headlines, Please show some respect to your profession.
Secondly as it is South Asia labour Conference so many foreign guests would have been there. so what we are showing them.
The ONLY sincere leader in Pakistan is not accepted by the corrupt people.