In a troubling display of aggression during a live television debate, PML-N leader and Punjab government spokesperson Kausar Kazmi slapped PTI’s Azhar Siddique.

The altercation occurred on Hum Dekhen Gey with Mansoor Ali Khan, following a tense discussion between the two politicians.

Before the slap, Kazmi urged Siddique to maintain a political focus and avoid personal attacks. But the situation escalated, and although the incident did not air live, behind-the-scenes footage revealed Kazmi standing up and striking Siddique as Khan attempted to restore order.

This incident marks yet another instance of violence erupting during political discourse on television after former prime minister Imran Khan’s lawyer Sher Afzal Khan Marwat assaulted PML-N Senator Afnan Ullah Khan on a live media show last year.

In his vlog, Mansoor explained the situation to end the speculation about the incident. He said that the PML-N was on his show for the first time while Muneeb Farooqui had joined the show via video link.

He said that Kazmi, a former journalist, was on the show a bit earlier. The PML-N leader was accompanied by a man who sat in his office.

Mansoor said that when they planned to record the show, news came PTI leaders were being arrested in Islamabad on Monday. Amidst, this Kazmi suggested this going live. But they later decided to record it.

He refused to share the footage as per their editorial policy. The journalist claimed that the video that went viral was made by the people accompanying the two guests.

The argument on the alleged relations between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sharif family triggered the situation and led to a heated argument. Later, Kazmi rose from his seat and slapped Siddique.

According to Mansoor, it was Kazmi who first assaulted the PTI leader. The journalist claimed that he and his team ended the four-minute brawl.

He claimed that the programme was restarted after cooling them down and asking their people to leave the studio. He added that it was decided to on-air the footage.

Mansoor said that he apologised to the PTI leader for the incident.