PTI rushes to Naeemul Haque’s defence after he slaps Daniyal Aziz

PTI setting elements of a fascist state in motion, says Aziz

KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) defended and downplayed the actions of party leader Naeemul Haque on Wednesday after he slapped Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) Daniyal Aziz during a political talk show on a private news channel on Tuesday night.

Haque, reacting to being called a 'thief', also launched a tirade at the ruling party's leader after the incident. Following the incident, Aziz and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nafeesha Shah walked out from the TV show.

Danial Aziz called @naeemul_haque a Chor, he sapped him in return.
Total madness on tv@muneebfaruqpak pic.twitter.com/CXbddmdTXZ

— Syedih (@SyedIHusain) May 22, 2018

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Aziz alleged that the incident was ‘pre-planned’.  “It shows the frustration of PTI leaders and their handlers,” he said. “Despite throwing their weight behind the Army and the judiciary, their public support dwindles daily, leading to internal rifts between the top leadership.”

The state minister further claimed that instead of promoting Pakistan along the lines of development, PTI was promoting a culture that is polarising Pakistani society. He added they were setting "elements of a fascist state in motion".



When asked if he would pursue the matter legally, Aziz asked the use of pursuing the matter in a court of law and referred to PTI Chairman Imran Khan's acquittal in the SSP torture case. He further alleged that the act was caught on camera and broadcasted live while the “Supreme Court buckled under PTI-led contempt through lockdown of the capital and then reversed its order” and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was “humbled into withdrawing contempt proceedings” against the PTI leader.

However, PTI's Iftikhar Durrani, head of the party's media department, told The Express Tribune that Aziz had ‘intimidated’ Haque into reacting in a violent manner.

“Aziz is one of the PML-N leaders who frequently use foul language on TV channels. He has been appointed merely for shoe-shining of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, he has no credentials to become a minister," said Durrani.

“It is their hallmark – PML-N is the custodian of vulgar language in the political history of Pakistan.”

Durrani added that despite the usage of foul language on TV, 'black sheeps' such as Aziz were given space on media. When asked if PTI intended to initiate disciplinary actions against Haque for violence and inappropriate language, Durrani said the matter had not been discussed yet. “I do not know how we will proceed since it happened last night.”

“I do not approve of Haque’s actions but at the same time, I also condemn the way Aziz intimidated Haque."

When asked for a comment, PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry hung up the phone and refused to comment on the matter.

Reflecting on the incident, Haque termed it an "unfortunate spur of the moment reaction."

While it was an unfortunate spur of the moment reaction, Danial Azizs abusive language against PTI leadership and his attack on Pakistan army are regrettable unacceptable and condemnable. I hope he can mend his ways and stop spinning mistruths.

— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) May 23, 2018

Haque is not new to controversy, last year former PTI member Ayesha Gulali accused him of harassment. Responding to the allegations, Haque had defended himself by admitting to "discussing marriage" with the dissenting leader in a tweet.



Shortly after, the tweet was deleted with senior PTI leader Shafqat Mehmood coming to Haque's rescue with a claim that the former's account was hacked.

Just spoke to Naeem ul Haq. He told me his twitter account has been hacked and false tweets regarding Ayesha Gulalai posted in his name

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) August 4, 2017

In a similar incident a few years ago, Haq had lost his cool on a live news show when he threw a glass of water on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Jamil Soomro.