'Shut this down': Voice interrupts Ahsan Iqbal's live TV appearance
Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal. PHOTO: APP
A live television interview with Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal was briefly interrupted on Thursday when his video feed appeared to be cut off after an off-camera voice was heard saying, “shut this down” (“band karo isay”).
#PMLN leader Ahsan Iqbal was attacked in a live TV program. He was talking to the host live when someone from behind interrupted and asked to end the call#AhsanIqbal pic.twitter.com/qpHdwK70aw
When Iqbal returned on air shortly afterwards, the host told viewers that many had been alarmed by the abrupt disruption and asked whether everything was fine. The minister reassured viewers that “all is well”.
Iqbal said there was no issue, after which the host said he would not press the matter further and resumed the discussion, noting that only “eight to ten minutes” of the programme remained.
Federal Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal said, all is good at his end. pic.twitter.com/fLBtmVm0Ip
Later, the minister issued a clarification on X, thanking people for their concern and saying a “brief disruption occurred during a live broadcast when someone nearby, having an argument, was unaware that I was live on air”. He said he rejoined the interview shortly afterwards and urged people to avoid “unnecessary politicisation” of the incident.”
The clip of the interruption circulated widely on social media, prompting speculation about the cause of the disruption.
In a post on X, a journalist later said he had spoken to Iqbal, who explained that a family gathering was under way at his Islamabad residence when children unexpectedly entered his study, causing the disruption. He said the minister rejoined the programme shortly afterwards and that the host could confirm the account.
Thank you for the messages of concern. A brief disruption occurred during a live broadcast when someone nearby having an argument was unaware that I was live on air.
I rejoined the interview shortly afterward. I hope we can avoid unnecessary politicisation of this. https://t.co/c4opMKphqSInformation Minister Attaullah Tarar also said he had spoken to Iqbal and confirmed that “kids came into the study running unexpectedly”, adding that the minister rejoined the show and that “all is well”.