Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry slapped TV anchorperson Mubashir Luqman after exchanging harsh words with him during the wedding ceremony of Punjab Irrigation Minister Mohsin Laghari's son late on Saturday.

Sources said that the incident occurred when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stalwarts Jahangir Khan Tareen, Ishaq Khakwani and Fawad Chaudhry were having a conversation during the 'Walima' reception of Laghari's son in Model Town on Saturday night. The function was attended by a large number of journalists and members of the ruling PTI.

The sources further said that when Fawad Chaudhry was talking with his party leaders, Mubashir Luqman came there and used inappropriate language against him and his fellow cabinet members including Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan and Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid for allegedly having "illicit relations" with TikTok star Hareem Shah, who recently uploaded some "objectionable" videos on social media involving the ministers.

According to the sources, the anchorperson's allegations seriously offended the sentiments of the minister which led to the slapping. Meanwhile, the other PTI members intervened and pacified the situation, they added. However, the TikTok star had also used unsuitable language and levelled allegations against the anchorperson in a video clip in which she was allegedly talking to Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan.

On January 4, the anchorperson uploaded a prolonged video titled "who will be the next victim of Hareem Shah" on his programme at a private TV channel. Actually, the sources said, the minister was annoyed with Mubashir for levelling "wrong" allegations against him and other PTI leaders in his programme.