F.P. Report
LAHORE: Syed Samsam Bukhari on Wednesday took oath as the provincial minister of information of Punjab, after Fayyaz Chohan was ousted from the ministry for making derogatory remarks against Hindu community.
According to details, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar administered oath to Bukhari during a ceremony where other officials including Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar were also present.
Samsam Bukhari is a former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from NA-145 (Okara-III). However, he joined PTI in 2015 and was elected as MPA from Sahiwal for the 2018 by-election.
Earlier on Tuesday, Buzdar sought an explanation from Chohan for hurting sentiments of the Hindu community. The remarks were observed as extremely insulting for the Hindus.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had also expressed displeasure over his remarks, and asserted that such sort of statements were simply unacceptable.
However, the minister had apologized later in the day and tendered resignation after having a meeting with the chief minister.
Other senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders including Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, Finance Minister Asad Umar and PM’s Special Assistant Naeemul Haque had also slammed Chohan – who became center of attention for his tub-thumping manner of speech.
Chohan had earlier faced criticism over his verbal exchanges with reporters during a press briefing.
LAHORE: Provincial lawmaker of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Samsam Ali Bukhari will take oath as new information minister of the province at a ceremony at Governor House on Wednesday (today).
According to details, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar will administer oath to the newly appointed minister. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, government ministers and other higher officials will attend the oath-taking ceremony.
Samsam Bukhari, who served as minister of state during the PPP government, joined PTI in 2015. He won the provincial assembly seat PP-201 from Sahiwal on a PTI ticket in July 25 general elections.
He will be replacing Fayyazul Hassan Chohan who resigned as information minister over his controversial statement against the Hindu community.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the Punjab chief minister to take action against Chohan over his remarks.
Chohan’s derogatory statement against the Hindus irked PM Khan who directed the provincial authorities to ask the Punjab information minister to tender his resignation. He said that such statements will not be tolerated anymore which hurt sentiments of believers of any religion.
