Punjab minister Chohan apologises over ‘off-camera behaviour’

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan has apologised for his violent behavior while criticising a news channel for leaking his ‘off-camera clip’, terming the practice a violation of media ethics.

Chohan on Wednesday used expletives against former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ministers Daniyal Aziz and Tallal Chaudhry and verbally targeted the staff of a private news channel.

In a tweet on Thursday, Chohan claimed that he answered “all the negative questions asked with patience,” blaming the channel for running his clip from after the show’s ending.

آف دی کیمرہ کلپ چلانا صحافت کی اخلاقیات کے خلاف ھے۔پورے پروگرام میں تحمل کے ساتھ انتہائی منفی سوالات کے جواب دیےپروگرام ختم ھونے کے بعد آف کیمرہ میرے متعلق کلپ چلایا گیا۔۔لیکن اس کے باوجود میں اپنے آف کیمرہ رویے پر معذرت خواہ ھوں@zemtv@PTIofficial

— Fayazulhasan chohan (@Fayazchohanpti) August 30, 2018

“Despite all that, I am sorry for my off-camera behavior,” he wrote.

Controversies have surrounded Chohan for multiple reasons, from his indecent remarks about female stage actresses to abusing a local news channel for asking harsh questions.

During the programme, old clips of the Punjab information minister were played which did not go down well with him.

In a video circulating on social media, Chohan can be heard using derogatory words for the former privatisation minister and state interior minister in the programme. The minister also abused the staff after the programme ended.

When pointed out by the TV anchor about his language, the provincial information minister claimed that he used these words “by mistake”.

Further, after the programme, while removing the microphone the provincial minister used abusive language against the channel and its staff.

PTI leader and Senior Punjab Minister Aleem Khan had later condemned Chohan’s behaviour stating that the information minister should not have used such language. “A complaint must have been lodged with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar,” Khan said.

BAN ON CINEMAS: 

In another clip on social media, the minister is talking about the “vulgar” boards outside cinemas. “We have issued a notice to all the cinema owners asking them to remove these boards,” he said, adding if the orders were not compiled by any owner within three days of the notice, he will be fined first and then be shut down next.

“Not only Indian movies but Pakistani movies are destroying the moral standards of our society,” the minister said. “I will keep a close eye on them and will bring them in my domain and range,” Chohan added.

He also shared a photograph of his first order after assuming the charge as culture minister in which he directed immediate removal of “indecent film signboards within and outside the cinema halls”.