ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members of the National Assembly, Iqbal Afridi and Khurram Shahzad Virk, were involved in a heated altercation at Parliament House on Friday, an incident that was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media.
The confrontation occurred near Gate No. 1 of the Parliament building, where the two lawmakers were seen exchanging sharp words before the argument escalated into pushing and verbal threats. In the video circulating online, Iqbal Afridi can be heard calling Khurram Shahzad Virk a “tout” during the scuffle.
The footage also shows Afridi confronting journalists who were present at the scene, asking them to stop recording the incident. According to sources, the two MNAs had stepped outside after a discussion in the opposition lobby, where tensions reportedly flared, leading to the confrontation.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar attempted to intervene and defuse the situation but was initially unable to calm the two lawmakers. As the exchange intensified, other PTI MNAs and parliamentary staff stepped in to separate the pair, moving Khurram Shahzad Virk away to prevent further escalation.
Following the incident, Iqbal Afridi voiced strong objections and blamed the party leadership for internal problems, accusing it of allowing elements within the party that were harming PTI’s public image. His remarks highlighted ongoing tensions within the party at a time when it is already facing significant political challenges.
The exact cause of the altercation remains unclear, and no official statement has yet been issued by PTI regarding the incident. However, the episode has sparked debate online and drawn criticism from political observers, who have called for greater discipline and decorum within Parliament.
The viral video has added to scrutiny of conduct among lawmakers, with calls from various quarters for political leaders to resolve internal disputes through dialogue rather than public confrontations.
