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No one appreciated Firdous Ashiq Awan disrespecting the Sialkot assistant commissioner

No one appreciated Firdous Ashiq Awan disrespecting the Sialkot assistant commissioner

In a viral video, Awan yelled at AC Sonia Sadaf and the internet isn't having any of it.
03 May, 2021

Firdous Ashiq Awan, the special assistant to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on information and culture, took a trip to a Sialkot bazaar on Sunday and inspected the quality of goods being sold there. When she found that the fresh fruit there was not up to her standards, she lambasted Assistant Commissioner Sonia Sadaf at a stall in a truly uncivil display of unwarranted aggression and showmanship.

A video of the incident went viral on social media, in which Awan can be seen yelling at and scolding the AC in public, for "poor quality of food". She went on ruthlessly until AC Sadaf walked off. Sadaf did try to explain herself but couldn't get a word in edgewise during Awan's breathless rant.

AC Sadaf tried to explain that the fruit had gone bad due to the extreme heat and that was a matter the two could have discussed calmly, but Awan wasn't having any of it, and Sadaf eventually had to walk away to end the tirade. During her rant, Awan even said "Who is the shameless person [baighairat] who selected and posted you here? I will talk to him."

Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik told the media that he had already spoke with the CM on the matter.

Awan's still a hot topic on Twitter and has been subjected to much scrutiny on social media as the video went viral. People believe her behaviour was disrespectful, unprovoked, entitled and ruthless and we agree.

She was needlessly insulting and people weren't having it.

“Where were you when I reached there?” Awan had demanded of the AC in a less than welcoming tone. “Since there was a great rush of people, I could not make it to the front row to receive you,” the AC replied but that didn't satisfy Awan.

“Have you come from the heavens? Is your life more precious [due to Covid] than that of those present here?” she demanded.

We would tell you this is messed up on so many levels, but this tweet does that too well, sharing an anecdote from the time of ex-PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

This is an important lesson for our politicians — civil servants are servants of the law.

People believe an apology is in order.

But, from a more cool-headed and rational place, this tweet does a fair analysis of the situation.

More people echoed this thought. They did feel the special assistant had the right and the authority to criticise, but her tactics were disgraceful.

If one was to consider the situation from the position of the AC, and other civil bureaucrats, here's another analysis:

The AC's supporters came to argue that the opinion being propagated against her is not correct.

They were also there to answer Awan's question.

Several Pakistanis thought memes were the best way to address the matter. We agree.

It doesn't matter whether what Awan said was true or not when her delivery was so poor. The way she addressed, spoke to and accused the AC was not civil or even acceptable. Civil servants and political leaders need to work together for a better Pakistan, and that includes keeping checks and balances on each other, but there has to be a better way to do it than a screaming match in front of a crowd of curious onlookers.

To Firdous Ashiq Awan, we say this: say whatever you have to say, but adding insults to spice up your speech isn't the way to make people respect you. If you have to yell and shout to make your point, your point isn't very strong in the first place.

Comments

Khaled May 03, 2021 12:13pm
Keep it up Ms. Sadaf.
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M. Emad May 03, 2021 12:17pm
Sialkot assistant commissioner Sonia Sadaf looked disrespectful to Firdous Ashiq Awan's advise.
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Fk May 03, 2021 12:43pm
Minister for information and culture displaying our culture.
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Ahsan Gul May 03, 2021 02:10pm
Ms. Awan was absolutely right to yell at the assistant commissioner. Isn’t AC job to see that public health comes first? Sincerely
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Ibrahim May 03, 2021 02:48pm
Very unprofessional and disappointing behavior from a minister. Is AC Sonia Sadaf a food inspector.
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Qaiser May 03, 2021 02:58pm
She should be fired.
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F Nawaz May 03, 2021 03:01pm
Isn't this how everyone treats the vendors in Pakistan?
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ijaz ahmed May 03, 2021 03:09pm
Firdous Avan was right to chastsise the AC. AC continued arguing with MS Awan instead of explaining and appologizing. Maintenance of Ramadan bazar is in AC's jurisdiction. Both we wrong of not keeping 6 feet apart.
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Waqar Syed May 03, 2021 03:10pm
It was not the business of Firdaus Awan to talk to the AC and that too in an insulting manner. She has crossed her official and moral limits and must tender her apologies to the AC.
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truth May 03, 2021 03:22pm
Same example happened in India. Someone tried to clear a wedding hall the intention was good but execution wasnt. Same is her case.
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Jo May 03, 2021 03:52pm
Unacceptable behaviour from Firdous Awan. This government believes by shouting and finger pointing is an answer to everything. The government have failed the ordinary citizens on many fronts. Deflection is not an answer!
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Abrar May 03, 2021 04:26pm
Problem of leadership has always been this, just the public show off. One should never ridicule any one like this in public. Power never remains with you.
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Habib May 03, 2021 04:59pm
Might be the AC was wrong, but the way Ms.Awan handled it, AC is the victim now. while Ms.Awan becomes the villain.
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T-man May 03, 2021 09:46pm
And she was once IK's Information Minister? No wonder she was removed. Her behavior and language was appalling and disgraceful.
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Asif May 03, 2021 09:53pm
Firdous ashiq awan is right .. i'm appreciate dr. firdous for their work..
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F Khan May 03, 2021 09:57pm
When you rule with a mindset that all civil servants and police are previous government agents this is the natural outcome. Intense competition among PTI spokesperson is leading to these 'air-time acts' to show to the party they they are better than the other. These kind of desperate acts will increase further as PTI failures slowly become more evident.
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Savii May 04, 2021 02:08am
I dont know who is wrong. But the problem is that firdos awan have no right to talk in this manner. If there was problem then she would discuss it alone with AC. Didn't shout on Ac and use disrespectful words. Civil servants and govt leader need to work together for better pakistan.
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Imran Khan May 04, 2021 04:45am
AC came to power with her education,deication and hard work and Firdous AA, came to power with the help of her influence,land lord background and poor voters whom she dont even care for..FAA i am sure you will never pass IELTS test if ever you were given a chance
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Secular and modern Pak May 04, 2021 05:36am
What a show, a lady of non competence telling a qualified AC, G-d help your nation, with leaders like this your not bound to make any progress.
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Tabinda Munir May 04, 2021 06:05am
Sonia madam is certainly and obviously too much in her airs. Firdous Ashiq awan was rightly furious. Actually this Afsar Shahi is responsible for failing this govt. Passing an exam doesnt mean you actually know how to work and behave.
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Farzana May 04, 2021 06:10am
The minister FAA was one hundred percent right but she did not communicate her message well. The AC,'s attitude was typical of the beaurcrats, preferring to stay in the ac car rather than do her job well. Kudo for FAA.
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Pakistani May 04, 2021 08:11am
Good Job - Keep it up
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad May 04, 2021 02:17pm
Old habits die hard.
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M. Saeed May 04, 2021 02:27pm
@M. Emad, you are disrespectful to the whole of Muslim world and leading warrior against Pakistan.
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Thunderbird May 04, 2021 07:58pm
Talk about yourself, if you sympathize with AC loving , living in luxury bureaucrats who deliver nothing , maybe rotten fruits , your choice is , deal with rotten fruits.
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Abid Khan May 04, 2021 08:16pm
I must say FAA has a point. Do politicians have to go around checking each and everything that is the responsibility of the local administration ?
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yusaf May 05, 2021 03:06pm
IK should take note of this uncalled for outburst by Ashiq Awan. and kick her out of the party!! This woman is not fit to be a minister. she is a blooming "upstart"
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