Angry teachers interrupt Chohan
Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chauhan had to stop a Defence Day speech mid-sentence after being interrupted by angry teachers.
The minister had incurred the wrath of the teachers when he refused to speak on their issues citing the context of the event.
The information minister, who hails from Rawalpindi had been invited to speak at a Defence Day event at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) Auditorium on Sunday. The event had been organised by the All Pakistan Private School Management Association (APPSMA) and a private school in connection with the day.
Sensing the palpable anger of teachers and owners of private educational institutions over their prolonged closure and lack of government support, Chauhan issued a clarification before starting his speech that he will only speak about those who had sacrificed their lives for the defence of the nation - as was the topic of the day.
However, these comments triggered the teachers and bedlam ensued.
The teachers rose from their seats and demanded an explanation, forcing the minister to stop mid address.
APPSMA officials intervened and assured the teachers that all of their issues will be resolved soon after which they returned to their seats.
When he finally resumed his speech, Chauhan stated that the attitude of teachers was not new to him. With a hint of anger in his voice, Chauhan contended that he had attended the event on a 10-hour notice but was disappointed with the behaviour of teachers with him.
He said that he was not the son of a feudal lord but a person from the middle class just like many teachers in the hall. He, however, continued by saying that he has a big heart and assured the educators that he will raise their issues before the Punjab chief minister.
On the defence of the nation, the Punjab information minister said that conspiracies have been hatched against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) since its very inception.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2020.