Mazari apologises for Awan’s ‘insensitive’, ‘inappropriate’ remarks over earthquake – Pakistan

Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari apologized Wednesday for the "insensitive" and "inappropriate" statements made by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan about the devastating earthquake that shook parts of the country one day before.

"Since the government means collective responsibility, I apologize for the shock and pain felt by the insensitive and inappropriate comments of the SAPM about the earthquake and its jocular tone on a subject of human suffering," Mazari said in a statement. cheep.

Awan, who was heading to a ceremony in Islamabad yesterday, just when the earthquake occurred, had learned of the situation after the tremors subsided.

"It is a sign of change that even the earth has changed. Even [the earth] You don't want to accept this change, [which has come] so fast, "she could be heard say in a widely shared video.

It was later learned that the powerful magnitude 5.6 earthquake had not only caused damage to the infrastructure, but had killed at least 23 and injured more than 300, many of which are in critical condition.

Mazari, in a series of tweets today, he apologized for Awan's comments, saying: "The information in SAPM's comments about the earthquake was insensitive, absolutely inappropriate and certainly had nothing to do with the government's point of view. Human suffering can never be ignored. ".

Awan also referred to the outrage that his statements had caused, saying in a tweet: "We had been talking about the effects of social networks. The earthquake suddenly struck and the attendees were worried. I made those comments in light of [our conversation] to lift the spirits of the [scared] audience."

in a video statement posted on Twitter, the SAPM said: "A fabricated, unfounded and negative report about me is circulating on social media and electronic media that is labeled as [my] Comment on the earthquake.

"I condemn this act and […] Appeal not to distort the facts. This is a serious matter and [considering] the current earthquake situation [destruction]don't turn around [my remarks] in a source of fun. "

Awan is currently in Azad Jammu and in the Mirpur city of Kashmir, which has suffered the greatest damage from yesterday's earthquake, to inform the media about the destruction caused and ongoing relief efforts.