'Funny' or 'inappropriate'? Internet divided on Punjab speaker's interaction with Hina Butt

A video of Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan engaging in a casual exchange with Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Hina Parvez Butt has made rounds on social media, with internet users reacting to it.

During the Punjab Assembly session on Tuesday, Hina Butt, on behalf of the House, read out a resolution commending the Punjab Police for thwarting the attacks in Punjab and the border area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) launched by terrorists on March 2.

“I want a definition from her [Hina Parvez Butt], who is the terrorist?" a member of the Punjab Assembly asked.

In response, while she was defining the term “terrorist” with her face turned towards the members of the Assembly, Ahmad Khan interjected, “Hina, address me… I want you to look at me properly,” prompting laughter from the lawmakers.

The Speaker’s comment left Hina Butt momentarily taken aback. After a short pause, Ahmad Khan added, “Obviously, once the member is speaking here, you have to do what I’m saying [SIC].”

“Honourable Speaker, thank you,” she replied.

Social media users were quick to react to the video, with some users calling it “funny”, others suggesting it was “inappropriate." 

One user in a post on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Highly inappropriate for someone holding the office of the Speaker.”

Another user asked, “How can such a conversation take place in sacred institutions like the prestigious Punjab Assembly?”

“I am from the Speaker's own constituency and have known him since childhood. He is a very decent person — there’s nothing like what people are suggesting in the comments. He said that in a light-hearted, joking manner,” wrote another user.

One of the users wrote, “Earlier, the same guy appreciated Hina Parvez Butt’s dressing.”

Ahmad Khan had earlier during the Punjab Assembly session commented on Hina Butt’s light green dress. “Hina, you have raised the question for Kasur. I am thankful you are wearing a good dress today,” the Speaker had said when she inquired of the Parliamentary Secretary about the lack of transport service between Lahore and Kasur.