Pakistan

‘It's my job’: Annoyed Shibli stops Gill from speaking to media

Video of heated conversation between two close aides of PM Imran is making rounds on social media

News Desk January 27, 2021

The conversation between two close aides of PM Imran was making rounds on social media. FILE PHOTOS

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz was seen visibly annoyed on Wednesday and expressed his displeasure to Shahbaz Gill, PM's aide on political communication, for having an informal conversation with media persons, saying ‘it was his job’.

The incident happened after a parliamentary meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. The heated argument between the two was captured in a video which is making rounds on social media.

In the video, Shahbaz Gill could be seen speaking to the journalists before the information minister could hold his scheduled presser. "What are you doing?" Shibli asked Shahbaz who replied that he was only giving the journalists facts and figures about the economy.

To this, an annoyed information minister replied, “It's my job and you cannot do that… you can join me at the press conference”.

Shahbaz refused to join Shibli at the press conference after which the information minister stormed out, leaving Shahbaz embarrassed in front of media persons.

Information Minister #ShibliFaraz was visibly annoyed and expressed his displeasure to #Shahbaz Gill, PM's aide on political communication, for having an informal conversation with media persons, saying ‘it was his job’.https://t.co/hZcTt2CiFU #viralvideo #etribune pic.twitter.com/X95t7fIZGi
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 27, 2021

Talking to media persons outside the Parliament House after the meeting, Shibli Faraz said the component parties of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) lacked unity as all of them were pursuing conflicting narratives and interests.

He said that the PPP wanted to move a no-confidence motion but the PML-N had a different viewpoint. He said that PDM had earlier announced many other steps but failed to achieve any target.

Speaking about the PTI meeting, Shibli said that Adviser on Economic Affairs Hafeez Sheikh gave a detailed briefing during the meeting.

The meeting was also informed that when the PTI came into power, the country was facing a huge trade deficit and the present regime had to take tough decisions to keep the economy afloat.

(With additional input from APP)