Video of Bilawal snubbing Nabil Gabol goes viral

PPP chairman apparently avoided shaking hands with senior leader and gestured to have him removed

In a surprising turn of events, a video capturing a tense moment between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and party leader Nabil Gabol has taken social media by storm.

The footage, which has gone viral, shows Bilawal apparently refusing to shake hands with Gabol during the oath-taking ceremony of Karachi mayor and deputy mayor.

The incident unfolded while Bilawal was engaged in a series of meetings with various individuals at the ceremony. As Gabol approached the PPP chairman, Bilawal appeared to purposely avoid shaking hands with him and instead gestured for him to be removed while engrossed in a conversation with someone else.

A really short current affairs show. pic.twitter.com/sCkybeAYAi

— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) June 19, 2023

Following the foreign minister's instruction, an individual quickly intervened and escorted Gabol away from the scene.

After the video began circulating online, Nabil Gabol took to Twitter, urging people to watch the entire footage of the incident while sharing it.

Pls check the full vdo , a friend like you spreading like this .. pic.twitter.com/OQbRixxbqy

— Nabil Gabol (@Nabilgabol) June 19, 2023

The tweet aimed to provide a broader context to the controversial encounter and potentially shed light on the underlying reasons behind Bilawal's apparent snub.

Gabol later issued a video, trying to explain the situation. He said he wanted to discuss Lyari issues including gas and electricity load-shedding with the party chairman.  However, the PPP chief said everything cannot be discussed here, adding that he will meet Gabol after returning from Islamabad at a later date.

“My detractors say that I have been disrespected, but there is no such thing… and even if I am disrespected for the people of Lyari, that is acceptable to me… the only one who gives honour is Allah.”

In April, Gabol came under fire after a string of misogynistic and disturbing remarks he made on numerous podcasts came to light on social media, causing uproar.

In one interview, the senior politician was seen talking about sexual abuse. “There is a saying in English: if rape is imminent, just enjoy it,” stated the politician in the clip. When the host denies the same, he doubles down on it, claiming that it was, in fact, a saying.

“If you’re so helpless that you can endure rape, then just enjoy it,” claimed Gabol once again. “Otherwise, if you have any shame, you stand your ground and don’t endure it. When we endure it, we get used. How do you get used? I don’t believe in this thing that you have been forced. If you’re being forced, stand your ground – raise your voice. You can stand against it. What’s the worst that can happen? You’ll go to jail?"

Read more: Bilawal squashes discord rumours with PML-N

Following his comments, Bilawal's sister Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari among others condemned the former MNA's statement.

She maintained that Gabol's "repulsive rhetoric" belongs to him only and was in "no way a representation" of the party.

"In case it wasn’t already abundantly obvious - we absolutely and unequivocally stand for the rights & protection of women. Misogyny has no space in our religion nor our party," she stated.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also issued a show-cause notice to the former member of the National Assembly (MNA).

PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro asked Gabol to explain his remarks within three days.

According to a spokesperson for the party, organisational disciplinary action would be taken against Gabol if he is unable to offer an explanation.

“Inappropriate conversation and the use of unparliamentary words is not the policy of the PPP”.