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March 06, 2019

Pakistan minister asked to quit over anti-Hindu remarks

The Telegraph [India}

Pakistan minister asked to quit over anti-Hindu remarks

He said his comments were directed at Narendra Modi, the Indian Army and the media
By PTI in Lahore

Published 5.03.19, 3:54 PM
Updated 5.03.19, 3:54 PM

Pakistan's Punjab province information and culture minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan was on Tuesday asked to resign over his anti-Hindu remarks that invited intense criticism by senior party leaders and the minority community, according to a media report.

Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar summoned Chohan and asked him to tender his resignation, Geo TV reported, quoting sources.

"There were complaints against Chohan earlier as well owing to which he was sent warnings," a source said.

Earlier in the day, Chohan apologised for his comments following intense criticism from senior members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party's government and social media users.

"I was addressing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian armed forces and their media, not the Hindu community in Pakistan," he said.

"I apologise if my remarks hurt the Hindu community in Pakistan," he added. "My remarks were in no way directed at Pakistan's Hindu community."

Chohan had come under severe criticism from senior members of his party, ministers and social media users with #SackFayazChohan trending on Twitter for his controversial remarks while addressing a gathering on February 24 in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government "will not tolerate this nonsense", party leader Naeemul Haque, who is special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan, said on Monday night in response to Chohan's remarks. "The derogatory and insulting remarks…demand strict action,” he added.