Human rights activist Marvi Sirmed and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah have their own justification for the brawl that tool place during the recording of a TV show at a private news channel on Friday.
On Saturday, during a different private TV channel talk show, both Marvi Sirmed and Barrister Masroor Shah were in attendance to clarify and explain what actually happened on Friday. Hafiz Hamdullah also joined in via telephone. See video below:
Commenting on the incident Barrister Masoor Shah said, “I merely responded to a basic question asked by the anchor on which Hafiz Hamdullah got offended and started mocking unnecessarily.”
“Hafiz Hamdullah misinterpreted the idiom and despite taking back my words he got furious and accused me of being a drug addict on the talk show.” Barrister Masroor added.
On the other hand, Hafiz Hamdullah, replying to a question asking whether he physically assaulted Sirmed, said “if I wanted to to hit the lady, I would have slapped Barrister Masroor first and then slapped the lady”.
Marvi Sirmed can be seen listening silently to Hafiz Hamdullah’ response without interrupting. However, when it was her turn to speak and answer, Hamdullah shut the phone and refused to speak further on the issue as the producer could not get him back on the phone.
Meanwhile Marvi Sirmed said Hafiz Hamdullah is in self-denial and he in fact did try to hit me and was forced to leave the premises on this account.”
“He used vulgar language and I would categorise this incident as a rape attempt as Hafiz clearly said that he would hit me,” she added.
Deputy Secretary Information, Mr Fayyaz Ul Hassan Chohan was present during the Friday talk show but could not be reached to comment on the talk show on Saturday. He allegedly stopped Mullah Hamdullah as he tried to assault Marvi Sirmed.
Marvi added at the end that if she were a man, she might not have been subjected to the same amount and variety of vulgarity and abuse.
Most of the parts where the Friday fight has been described in Saturday’s talk show are censored.
Read more: Activist Marvi Sirmed claims JUI Senator ‘abused’, ‘almost hit her’ during TV show
Hafiz Hamdullah is infamous for his bad temper and has, in the past, threatened many guests during TV shows.
According to details, during a TV show on a private news channel, Hafiz Hamdullah got annoyed by a comment made by Barrister Masroor, another guest taking part in the discussion. When it was her turn to speak, Sirmed started her comment by saying “I agree with Masroor sahib to the extent that…” but was interrupted by the senator.
Therein began an argument that escalated very soon.
Earlier, Sirmed has filed an application in Kohsar police station, Islamabad, for the registration of a case against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Senator Hafiz Hamdullah.
Read more: Marvi Sirmed files application against JUI-F senator
Sirmed has accused Hamdullah of threatening her with severe consequences during a talk show on a private television channel on Friday.
In an application she filed in the police station, Sirmed has accused Hamdullah of maligning her character along with assaulting her. She stated that the JUI-F senator used vulgar language against her and threatened her of severe consequences. She requested the police officials to register a case against Hamdullah in accordance with the law.
Although the report was registered, police officials stated that the case against Hamdullah will be registered after viewing the recording of the programme.
Meanwhile, veteran journalist and South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) secretary general Imtiaz Alam filed a petition on Saturday, regarding criminal assault and harassment of Marvi Sirmed on a private news channel on Friday.