Journalist hurls shoe at Shahbaz, misses target

E-Paper | April 27, 2026

LAHORE: Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif narrowly escaped a shoe hurled at him during the inauguration of a three-day South Asia Labour Conference in Lahore, DawnNews reported

The shoe-hurler turned out to be a journalist who aimed the shoe at Shahbaz but missed his target. The shoe landed near the stage instead where the CM was sitting.

He was taken into custody by the police after Shahbaz made his departure from the hotel where the conference was taking place.

However, the Punjab CM ordered authorities to release his attacker.

The journalist, who threw the shoe, also held a banner that demanded the arrest of those involved in the attack on senior journalist Hamid Mir. Speaking to media later, he said he had vented out his anger by throwing the shoe.

Previously, politicians have also been targeted with shoes. A lawyer had hurled a shoe at former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf when he appeared in the Sindh High Court last year in March 2013 to obtain bail extension.

Former Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim was hit with a shoe after taking the oath as a newly-elected MPA outside the Sindh Assembly in April 2008.

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Pakistan

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khanm

Apr 24, 2014 05:09pm

A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at. next time please aim high...

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Hamza

Apr 24, 2014 05:10pm

Not fair at all! he is our leader.

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Amir Bangash

Apr 24, 2014 05:43pm

If some one can dare go for his medical check up. Possibly the Journalist may not be able to walk properly after taking PANGA with CM.

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TKhan

Apr 24, 2014 05:46pm

"narrowly escaped a shoe hurled at him" "The shoe landed near the stage instead where the CM was sitting." Excuse me? Oh Well, Journalism at its Best!

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Imran

Apr 24, 2014 05:49pm

Missed the target? Oh no. Better luck next time.

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rashid

Apr 24, 2014 06:00pm

Why they always miss the target??

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Truth speaker

Apr 24, 2014 06:11pm

Why Dawn.com forgot to mention the shoe hurled at Asif Zardari in Manchester? Is there is any particular reason or is it that he is not considered a politician? Does it make any sense to show a clip of Musharraf instead of the real incident i.e., shoe thrown at Shahbaz Sharif? Why the journalist and his organization has not been named or reported? I expect my comment to be posted because Dawn.com claims to be the champion of freedom of expression. Now let's see how much Dawn.com believes in freedom of expression.

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Awan

Apr 24, 2014 06:14pm

It is said that you should have such a High morale that you should give utmost respect to your enemies as well...This act is absolutely disgusting in my view. Kindly dont import the Arab culture of disrespecting someone like that. It is Arab culture to throw shoes at anyone. In Local Culture it is consider A Sheer Disrespect to do it like that. Respect everyone even your enemies because that is what a Dignified man of a Dignified culture will always do.

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Somi

Apr 24, 2014 06:19pm

@Hamza "Not fair at all! he is our leader." He is our 'khaadim'

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Sher

Apr 24, 2014 06:34pm

That's why I said last time that these are NOT journalists, hardly matric 3rd Division, and these TV channels hire them as a journalist, what a nonsense and joke of this noble profession. He must be put in Jail at least 10 years regardless of his educational background of is from a well known, good family and have good experience and so on...... he must suffer what he did with his noble job. I will also again advise the Government to make a compulsary basic education for journalist with a certificate in journalism from a university and advise these greedly owners of Newspapers, TV channels to check/verify their credentials before hiring anyone as a jounalist.

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ARIF

Apr 24, 2014 06:35pm

It looks govt is admitting mistake to support Hamid Mir. Topy Drama.

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Sher

Apr 24, 2014 06:36pm

Dear Jounlists (all), From now onward - you will attend all press conferences without shoes, I am 100% sure. Go get some education on jounalism first.

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usman civil 01-08-2013

Apr 24, 2014 06:38pm

I think shoe thrower only wants fame by throwing shoe.

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Malik

Apr 24, 2014 06:47pm

What is wrong with these guys--they don't practice enough as they keep missing targets. Few days ago, Hilary Clinton escaped such hurling of shoes.

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Harmony

Apr 24, 2014 06:54pm

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Rizwan

Apr 24, 2014 06:54pm

nation who attack his leaders with shoes really deserve the conditions where we are right now, ok if he wanted to trough show, the matter should be of public intrust . this time we are making main issues as non issues.

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daniel shiger

Apr 24, 2014 06:56pm

@Hamza if he is your leader, then you also deserve the same shoe

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daniel shiger

Apr 24, 2014 06:57pm

What a strange country Pakistan. First you throw your votes, then you throw your shoes. If you stop throwing your votes, the second act wont be necessary.

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Me, me,me

Apr 24, 2014 06:58pm

If i were the CM I would have a one on one with the guy and try to find out what was his grief. But we are talking about unscrupulous politicians.

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event horizon

Apr 24, 2014 07:01pm

How was the journalist expecting Punjab CM to arrest perpetrators of an attack that happened in Karachi? I am sure the journalist is lying. He must be frustrated with the security checking and the like when the VVIP CM arrives. Also, I do not believe the journalist will be released scot free. What Punjab CM ordered was just a political photo opp. Taking advantage of all photo opps is a hallmark of Sharif emperor brothers. The journalist will have to pay a heavy price for insulting a rich and powerful man.

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Naveed Javed

Apr 24, 2014 07:03pm

Poor journalist will have to pay for what he tried to do with

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Tamilselvan

Apr 24, 2014 07:26pm

Journalists as a rule do not have good aim. The journalist who threw show at President Bush missed (or after close examination President Bush being an active in sports was able to duck in time both time. Mr. Buh also mentioned that the shoe size was wrong too!), now this journalist was unable to even throw to the mark. The lady who threw shoe at Mrs. Clinton missed and Mrs. Clinton said that she must have been a poor softball player. Hope this CM has a sense of humor too or the journalist was not selected to play for the Pakistan Cricket team

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Blitzer

Apr 24, 2014 07:38pm

This journalist is going to mysteriously disappear from his home one of these days courtesy of the PML-N goons infamous for Noora Kushti and he won't be heard from ever again.

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saeeds

Apr 24, 2014 08:34pm

@Truth speaker That thing happened in England done by some refugee. Immigrant are usually not mentally stable people , so we don't take any offense for there act. We are talking about real Pakistani.

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Minuit

Apr 24, 2014 08:58pm

Reporter should not get involve in shoe/objects throwing. If journalist are biased , public can not get accurate news. Yes reporters can ask aggressive questions but can not involve in violence of any kind.. As a punishment, Journalist association should yank his credentials for a year -- and no major media organization hire him either.. Same rules should apply for those lawyers too-- showering rose petals on a person who commits murder. They have a right to defend him in the court of law but can not shower petals on him--until he is cleared of the offence of murder. But it seems even the moral foundations of this country have sunk far lower than economic or educational indicators. World is progressing in leaps and bounds while this nation speedily regressing to a black hole. Police arrest a person --while CM releases him. Was this abuse of power!

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Najamuddin

Apr 24, 2014 09:04pm

Entire nation except a few have been praying for speedy recovery of Hamid Mir, one of the great journalists of Pakistan. We shares the sentiments with the shoes hurling journalists regarding the murder attempt on Hamid Mir's life. But there is no logic in throwing shoes on Shabaz Sharif or even Nawaz Sharif for this matter. Those responsible for such murderous attempt on the busiest road of Karachi whether from religious, ethnic, local political terrorists, or from civilian or non civilian agencies (as alleged) are much more powerful than Shahbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif. The peace loving, unarmed and helpless majority of the Nation have to live on their mercy. Now the whole world knows the fact.

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Nizamuddin Ahmmad Aali

Apr 24, 2014 09:08pm

@Hamza CORRECRION: " My leader ". Speak for your self. He is not my leader for sure. You call this guy a leader who promotes monopoly in business ( by giving edge to his son ) and robs from common citizen'

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Abdul Latif

Apr 24, 2014 09:35pm

What was the fun to hurl shoe at Punjab CM when attack on Hamid Mir has occurred in Sindh? Indeed it is sigh of relief to Sindh PM.

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IKE

Apr 24, 2014 09:38pm

Well, Someone wants to keep the issue alive. Mir was attacked in Karachi, not in Lahore. Punjab CM has no control over Karachi. Its PPP Govt, but because they want to pressure Federal Govt therefore they pull new stunts everyday. We know.

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Khanm

Apr 25, 2014 12:00am

@Awan dignity is restricted for dignified only. In political arena there is no dignity

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Ganga Din

Apr 25, 2014 02:19am

Will it be possible for Dawn to publish the list of all politicians around the world, at whom the shoe has been thrown? How old is this custom and what is the most common type of shoe that is thrown. As far back my memory can take, I have never heard of any one being hit with the shoe. This will be a good topic for Mr. Paracha. Being a Punjabi and Paracha simultaneously, he is uniquely qualified.

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eager beaver

Apr 25, 2014 08:43am

Politicians around the world are now not only facing the tough questions from reporters, but they are also wary of shoe-throwing reporters who are there to cause a public embarrassment for them.

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Last Word

Apr 25, 2014 08:55am

@rashid Why they always miss the target ? Rashid, a very good observation as shoes hurled even at George Bush, Hillary Clinton and others always miss their target. My suggestion is that a 'Shoe Thrower Academy' needs to opened under the coaching of former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes whose throw never missed the stumps even from the boundary line. Many politician haters all around the world would join this academy and better results shall be achieved in future.

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Last Word

Apr 25, 2014 10:55am

@Ganga Din Year wise list of shoe throwing incidents are available in free Wikipedia and the same keep happening all over the world. However, Pakistan is the main country where there are more politician haters than any other place in the world and as suggested by me in my last comment, 'International Shoe Throwers Academy' should be opened and Pakistan appears to be the best option for its establishment and for achieving excellent results..

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khadim-e-ala

Apr 25, 2014 10:58am

@Somi Touch

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Ganga Din

Apr 25, 2014 01:45pm

@Last Word Agree, International Shoe Throwers Academy should teach people how to aim and hit the target.

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Paladin

Apr 25, 2014 04:44pm

Give that man a medal!

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M.Z

Apr 25, 2014 08:00pm

How would I throw a shoe publicly on journalist that in my opnion is not doing his/her job properly? Where should I write, if I want to expose the corruptions of journalists?

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Awais

Apr 25, 2014 09:19pm

waiting for a shoe that hits the target for once

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rana1

Apr 26, 2014 07:46am

@Awan .........well said sir

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rana1

Apr 26, 2014 07:50am

@Harmony .........may you live in harmony forever for setting the truth

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Zak

Apr 26, 2014 03:17pm

Is it a plane, is it a bird, is it a UFO- no, its a Bata shoe. Good one for shoe company advertisements, as multi purpose juta.

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skeptic

Apr 26, 2014 06:33pm

His hair transplant saved the day for him. A shinning target should have been easier to hit

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