Armed With a Gun, Pak Minister Shows up at Karachi Blast Site

Users on Social Media questioned the minster’s training for the operation.

Faisal Vawda, Pakistan’s federal minister for Water Resources reached the site in a bullterproof vest and a gun shortly after the attack.

(Photo: Twitter|@zulfaqar66)

Following a terrorist attack at the Chinese Consulate in Karachi on Friday, 23 November – which killed four people, including two cops – Faisal Vawda, Pakistan’s Federal min­is­ter for Water Resources showed up at the site in a bulletproof vest, while carrying a gun in his hand.

Vawda’s appearance invited a major backlash on social media, where the minister was accused of interfering in the country’s counter-terror operation. Users also questioned his presence at the site, Dawn, a Pakistani media house, reported.

“I have a Glock and a lot of other things. Insha Allah this is our country and we will fight for it”

Faisal Vawda, Federal Minister for Water Resources, said when asked if he was prepared to take part in the operation, <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1447332">Dawn</a> reported.

‘What Was He Doing at The Site?’ Social Media Asks

Journalist Abbas Nasir mocked Vawda’s presence at the attack site on twitter. “I will support any move for the first non-posthumous Nishan-e-Haider for Faisal Vawda. Loved the body armour, Glock in hand and then tucked into the waistband at the back. Most of all that swagger. Living legend. Pls RT if you support such a move.”, his tweet said.

According to Dawn, The Pakistan Press Watch also took to Twitter, to comment on the matter. “For the sake of being on television [screens], Faisal Vawda styles himself as James Bond with full body armour, Glock in hand and then tucked into the waistband at the back for cameraman to film. The minister breached laws and interrupted counter-terror operation. Was the pistol licensed?” it said.

Questioning if Vawda is trained enough for the situation, Journalist Mahim Maher, wrote, “What in the blazes is Faisal Vawda doing at the #KarachiAttack site with a gun and using a bullet proof vest that could be given to a cop? Is he a trained commando?”.

Journalist Naila Inayat also posted a video of the minister asking if the gun was even registered in his name.

‘I Don’t Run Away When Country Needs You’, Replies Vawda

Faced with a barrage of criticism, the federal minister said that ‘as a Pakistani I didn’t shy away’. He also asserted that as a ‘federal minister it is my domain to assist federal agencies.’

(Photo: Twitter)

The three men who open fired at the consulate on Friday were gunned down by the police.

Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist group from Balochistan had claimed responsibility for the attack later.

(With inputs from Dawn.)