Gilgit-Baltistan's Finance Minister Engineer Muhammad Ismail has landed in hot water after a video of him scuffling with flood-affected residents in Ghanche district's Ghursey area went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation from the public.
According to eyewitnesses, local residents in Ghursey were gathering stones to build a protective embankment on a self-help basis after river erosion had destroyed large swathes of their agricultural land.
As the finance minister's convoy passed through the area, the residents flagged him down, demanding the release of official funds for flood protection works.
However, the situation escalated when the minister responded angrily to the demands.
In a verbal exchange with elderly residents, he reportedly shouted, "We allocated a scheme worth Rs120 million last year, and yet the area is not secure, go to hell".
The remarks incensed the flood victims, with one elderly man retorting, "You go to hell".
Matters further deteriorated when the finance minister stepped out of his vehicle and physically confronted the elderly man.
The situation was defused by Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) district president and other companions seated in the back of the minister's vehicle, who intervened and managed to calm the minister before escorting him back into the car.
The footage of the incident quickly circulated online, drawing sharp criticism from users who described the minister's conduct as "shameful" and "an abuse of power".
Social media users condemned what they called the arrogance of elected representatives "intoxicated with authority", mistreating the very voters who elected them".
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