–Chohan was sacked in March for making anti-Hindu remarks
LAHORE: Former Punjab information minister Fayyazaul Hassan has been reinducted into the Punjab cabinet months after he was sacked for making derogatory remarks about the Hindu community.
Chohan will replace Sibtain Khan, who is facing corruption cases, as the forestry, fisheries and wildlife minister.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi administered the oath at the Governor’s House. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar among other guests.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Assembly submitted a resolution against Chohan’s appointment as a provincial minister.
The resolution, submitted by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member Majid Bukhari, called the act ‘shameful’ since Chohan has displayed religious prejudices and given controversial statements against the four million Hindus in Pakistan.
“During his six months as a minister, Chohan disrespected journalists, actors and politicians. There should be no place in the Punjab Assembly for those who promote religious extremism and use hate speech,” the resolution added.
Following his anti-Hindu remarks in March, the ruling PTI said targetting anyone’s faith is the not the narrative of the party, and Chohan would be removed from the post of the information ministry.
“PTI Punjab government has removed Fayyaz Chohan from the post of Punjab Information Minister following derogatory remarks about the Hindu community. Bashing someone’s faith should not b a part of any narrative. Tolerance is the first & foremost pillar on which #Pakistan was built,” it tweeted.
Chohan had subsequently apologised for his remarks however the attempt remained an exercise in futility.
