Pakistan politicians get into ugly fist fight on national TV in a viral video for the ages

A heated political debate on Wednesday (September 27) on a Pakistani talk show, hosted by Javed Chaudhary, turned physical and exchanged blows.

A type of incident that might not be a surprise to many of us in the subcontinent, Sher Afzal Marwat, a lawyer associated with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Afnan Ullah, a Senator from Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) entered into an ugly debate which ended in a fistfight.

The clip of the incident from the talk show has since gone viral online, leaving the country and its neighbours glued.

How did it escalate?

• The fight began when Marwat and Senator Afnanullah Khan exchanged heated words, full of offensive language directed at each other's families and top party leaders.
• The exchange took a particularly nasty turn when the PML-N Senator levelled accusations against PTI chief Imran Khan, alleging misconduct and undisclosed discussions with the 'establishment'.

• As the tension in the studio mounted, the argument ultimately descended into a full-fledged physical altercation.

Video footage of the incident captures both of them engaged in a scuffle, with the show's crew and host struggling to separate them. Social media was soon abuzz with the shocking video, prompting widespread reactions and condemnations.

Marwat's explanation

• Sher Afzal Marwat later, on X (formerly Twitter) defended his actions, claiming that his response was prompted by the derogatory language used by Afnan Ullah against PTI's Supremo, Imran Khan.
• Marwat revealed that he had slapped the PML-N Senator for calling Imran Khan, "a Jewish agent".

• In his defence, Marwat stated, "I responded to Afnanullah Khan like a Pathan instead of using foul language after he called Imran Khan a Jew."

Online backlash and criticism

• Soon, the video clip's online circulation sparked a wave of criticism, with social media users and activists condemning the host and staff of "Kal Tak" for failing to prevent the escalation of the on-screen violence.
• Many deemed the incident a disgraceful reflection, as it was, of the deep-seated animosity within a polarised atmosphere, with the country going into polls next year, around February.