Iqbal urges end to politicised speculation after interview disruption

Ataullah Tarar says that children running into the study unexpectedly the reason Iqbal gave for the disruption

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday sought to quell speculation after a brief and unexpected disruption during his live television interview the previous night triggered widespread debate on social media, urging commentators to refrain from attaching political motives to the incident.

The interruption occurred on Thursday night when Iqbal joined a current affairs programme hosted by anchorperson Waseem Badami via video link on a private news channel. As the minister was speaking about talks between the government and the opposition, the live discussion was abruptly cut short.

During the broadcast, an unidentified person, who was not visible on screen, could be heard shouting in an aggressive tone, "Shut this," moments before the minister's connection was disconnected.

The sudden break prompted concern in the studio, with the host expressing uncertainty over what had transpired.

"I hope everything is well. I don't know what just happened," Badami said on air. Iqbal later rejoined the programme and assured viewers that "all was well".

Despite the clarification during the broadcast, clips of the incident circulated widely online, fuelling speculation that the disruption may have been politically motivated.

Addressing the matter early Friday morning, the planning minister took to X to explain that "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 afterwards," he added, urging commentators to "avoid unnecessary politicisation of this".

The clarification came in response to a post by senior journalist Ajmal Jami, who said he had personally spoken to the minister after viewing the clip.

"He (Iqbal) said there was a family gathering at his Islamabad residence when children unexpectedly entered his study. He rejoined the show shortly after," Jami's post said.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also weighed in to dispel speculation, confirming that he, too, had spoken to Iqbal.

"Kids came into the study running unexpectedly. All is well, and he has rejoined the show," Tarar said.