Khawaja Asif target of ink attack at PML-N convention

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

Foreign minister Khawaja Asif had ink thrown at him during a PML-N workers' convention in Sialkot on Saturday, DawnNewsTV reported.

The veteran politician was addressing his party workers when an unidentified man doused him with black ink from behind.

Following the incident, enraged PML-N workers roughed up the ink-thrower before handing him over to the police.

Asif, however, pardoned the attacker instantly and called for his release, saying: "Someone gave him some money and sent him to throw ink at me but release him because I don't have any enmity with him."

"This incident doesn't affect my politics because there are still thousands of people praying for me," Asif said.

The pardoning of the ink-thrower was rejected by PML-N workers, who voiced their displeasure through their chants.

It is pertinent to mention here that a shoe was hurled at Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal during a recent PML-N workers’ convention.

The ink-thrower was subsequently released by police on Sunday.

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Mare

Mar 10, 2018 11:27pm

Not a way to oppose political parties. Civil discourse is the way forward. Unfortunately, some believe in shouting matches

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Mar 10, 2018 11:28pm

Ink is better than stones !!

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AHAQ

Mar 10, 2018 11:29pm

This is not appropriate way to protest but it clearly shows that people are getting fed up of PML-N tactics and illegal activities of nepotism and personal agendas being preferred over and above national agenda.

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shaukatullah

Mar 10, 2018 11:33pm

I m die hard insafian, but strongly reject it. Should have protested some other way.

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Waseem

Mar 10, 2018 11:33pm

There seem to be political engineering at the back...

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ehtesham rao

Mar 10, 2018 11:35pm

irrespective of the political affiliation, its a sad news and strongly condemn-able act...!!!!!!!!

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Mar 10, 2018 11:40pm

Very unfortunate incident, but you get what you deserve, based on your performance and attitude!

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Arshad

Mar 10, 2018 11:44pm

Not a fan of PML(N), but this is not the right way to show your anger. This event will be showed around the world and will make a laughing stock of our country.

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PakiForum

Mar 10, 2018 11:45pm

This is just the beginning. You will see what people will do to you when you will not be in government.

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s shahid

Mar 10, 2018 11:46pm

It could be a staged attempt as well, that is Khawaja sahed paid him to do it so he can show he is very generous :) In Pakistani dirty politics anything is possible!

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khan

Mar 10, 2018 11:46pm

Very mature response i have seen from any PML n law maker. but they should know its time to deliver the nation their rights. other wise every politician should face the same fate.

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Asad

Mar 10, 2018 11:58pm

Nice one Mr. Asif! You set a good precedent

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F Khan

Mar 11, 2018 12:00am

@AHAQ:Its not the people.Its a political party doing it.Since they can not win elections they can at least throw ink and shoes.Shame on the losers.

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Mar 11, 2018 12:01am

peaceful violence

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shafiq

Mar 11, 2018 12:05am

this is not the appropriate way.

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kante

Mar 11, 2018 12:06am

This is beginning.

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jaredlee67

Mar 11, 2018 12:17am

What can this minister say when his heart and mind are darker than the ink that was thrown at him. Pardoning someone is good, but what was his real intent behind issuing pardon?

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Dr.Oz

Mar 11, 2018 12:18am

Shameful tactics by PTI , there faces will be inked in the upcoming elections ! Only Pml-N can save Pakistan.

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Alla Bux

Mar 11, 2018 12:19am

He looks handsome with ink his face. He should have permanently.

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jamal

Mar 11, 2018 12:21am

What a waste of ink.

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Aamir

Mar 11, 2018 12:22am

Tomorrow it will be Imran's turn!

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Farukh

Mar 11, 2018 12:23am

After corruption court cases and allegations compaign against Plmn , their nexus with corrupt civil servants and so on..hatred is definitely increased against them and many of their voters seems to have moved to mainly Pti

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Khan

Mar 11, 2018 12:48am

This person is a hero. When you cannot find justice, you give corruption an expression like an artist throwing ink on the canvas.

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Malik

Mar 11, 2018 12:56am

I am a PTI supporter and hate Khwja Asif but this is inhumane and it should happen to any person.

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Mkb

Mar 11, 2018 01:03am

@AHAQ This is for IK fans, your leader will never be able to win election and you all know that. These tactics definitely will not help you at all. The best way to beat PMLN is election which guys don’t have what it takes to win.

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Mkb

Mar 11, 2018 01:09am

@Dr.Oz absolutely true,

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Shahid

Mar 11, 2018 01:16am

Let the dust settle and clear up this uncalled for incidence.

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SAM

Mar 11, 2018 01:34am

I really dont like Khj, Asif but I strongly condemn this act. This is not the way to protest in a literate world.

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Masoud

Mar 11, 2018 01:37am

This tall talking man deserves this. He has done more harm to PMLN than good

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A shah

Mar 11, 2018 01:47am

He deserved it

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A shah

Mar 11, 2018 01:48am

There is a revolution brewing in Pakistan

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Omar

Mar 11, 2018 01:50am

Disagree all you want , but physical assault of any kind is highly deplorable.

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Pakistani-Sindhi

Mar 11, 2018 02:08am

Great humanly response by Khuwaja Asif shows him a great leader

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Changez Khan

Mar 11, 2018 02:24am

The ink-attacker still should be punished even Khawaja Asif has forgiven him.

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Arif

Mar 11, 2018 02:46am

Inappropriate and shameful act. Oppose by not voting for him.

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Dilawar

Mar 11, 2018 03:48am

A self-inflicted publicity stunt!

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Haroon

Mar 11, 2018 03:51am

He showed maturity by pardoning. Glad he didn’t become an animal like most people here do.

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Mastang

Mar 11, 2018 04:16am

Pti must be very happy on this incidence

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Ahsan Gul

Mar 11, 2018 04:24am

Dislike, disagreements and differences are okay but this act is not a way to show them. Agree that Khawaja is a big mouth and boisterous person but he handled ink in his face nicely.

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SHAHID LATIF

Mar 11, 2018 04:24am

I am not a fan of Asif but i highly commend his response by pardoning the culprit. That shows magnanimity.

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Syed

Mar 11, 2018 05:05am

You should ask for pardon. You need lot of pardon from each person . They ask about their right which you and your team took . How many hospital and institution you build. Why country has more loan. Show your salary and for last 5 year and compare with your all bank account.

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khalid

Mar 11, 2018 05:25am

This incident proves how angry the masses are with the worst governance ever seen before in Pakistan.

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Intriguing comments

Mar 11, 2018 06:17am

Khawaja Asif is a real politician, and he pardoned the man .

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LAHORI KID

Mar 11, 2018 06:22am

I'm not a Pakistani politicians fan, but I have to say, this is very disrespectful, I don't care if you dislike the person or disagree with their agenda, you still must show respect. You can voice your displeasure by commenting on several news papers online.

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Mar 11, 2018 07:13am

@Arshad -From the news article, this happened at a PML-N workers' convention. So the instigators are also from PML-N, not some other party.

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AZIZ

Mar 11, 2018 07:18am

PTI is playing a dangerous game, soon they will face the same.

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Adi

Mar 11, 2018 07:34am

No one can support this act. Difference of opinion or loyalty should remain in the civilized domain

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Viquar Syed

Mar 11, 2018 08:26am

Although I disagree with the way someone expressed their displeasure, but in the same context our people have suffered so much and are now resorting to tactics like this.

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Naxalite

Mar 11, 2018 09:15am

People are angry on PML-N

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SDA

Mar 11, 2018 09:45am

This would not have happened if PML-N had accepted court's decision and not politicized their innocence trying to gain people's sympathy.

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Hash

Mar 11, 2018 10:18am

He deserves. Plm-N is not listening to public. They are working in their own style.

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Dr. Doctor

Mar 11, 2018 10:19am

@AHAQ Propaganda. If people are fed up, more similar incidences will ensue and then your leaders will fall prey to similar retaliation. This below-the-belt approach should stop here right NOW. Don't justify illegal acts. Be mature and act in a similar way as well. The divisive politics of the container baba has already pit our youth against each other. We need to learn to agree to disagree with kindness, sweetness and through dialogue.

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Dr. Doctor

Mar 11, 2018 10:24am

@Farukh Proof?

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A Pakistani

Mar 11, 2018 10:42am

This is very unfortunate. PML-N is an incompetent party. Khawaja Asif is not that great of a politician. But you know, these days he's doing well to project and assert Pakistan's position in the world. He's actually the only person after Chodhry Nisar in PML-N who has done something for Pakistan. Political disputes aside, throwing ink at your Foreign Minister is deplorable.

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Husain

Mar 11, 2018 10:42am

@Aamir no!!! tomorrow it will be nawaz's turn.

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Mar 11, 2018 10:43am

Sad incident but he is a mega looter who needs to be far away from politics.

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Mehboob Ali Lalani

Mar 11, 2018 10:56am

We need to develop culture of tolerance. It is essential to develop civilize and dignified culture. Political arguments base on logic and not on emotion. Unfortunately, here politics are based on lie,abuses and wealth accumulations and not on principles, honesty and dignity.

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abbottonian 43

Mar 11, 2018 11:19am

bad practice ...

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Aaqib Majeed

Mar 11, 2018 03:09pm

Very shamefully act

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Sad

Mar 11, 2018 03:20pm

@PakiForum couldn't agree more.

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Naveeda

Mar 11, 2018 05:55pm

Politics is getting dirtier. Mud slinging, blaming and playing politics out of these incidents must be condemned as well.For example, IK and hiscomposition party's official statement and mqm's official tweet has condemned the incident, but played politics thereby approving and assigning the reason behind the anger of theyou throwers of inkit or, shoe. They must know that politicalI environment can turn harsher against them as well.

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Adnan

Mar 11, 2018 07:48pm

Sentiments expressed.

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Athar

Mar 11, 2018 07:55pm

Simply unacceptable. I am sorry for those who support or encourage such act.

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NKG

Mar 12, 2018 09:36am

Got what he deserved. This gentleman believes he is the only smartest guy around.

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Taimur

Mar 12, 2018 10:56am

Such frequent incidents show the mental state of the society and the direction in which our society is moving. Political and religious leaders are responsible for creating this frustration and dirty atmosphere where there is no tolerance in the society.

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Hasnain

Mar 12, 2018 03:38pm

This ink in nothing as compared to the ink these corrupt politicians have thrown at the face of our country.

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moona

Mar 12, 2018 04:25pm

@AHAQ No, it shows that PTI is getting desperate.

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anonymouseeee

Mar 12, 2018 10:34pm

PML getting humiliated by the public. We have had enough of these corrupt politicians.

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AKB

Mar 13, 2018 12:07am

Very bad.

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pathanoo

Mar 13, 2018 01:57am

People have realized that this kind of an action may be the only way to make these politicians listen. I do NOT support it. But when people are desperate, they take desperate measures. SAD!!

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Musti Sheikh

Mar 13, 2018 07:13am

This is not the right course and all political disagreements should be settle in civilized way. Do not criticize the foreign minister for the sake of criticism but with honest objective in keeping the interest of Pakistan supreme than personal hatred based on party affiliation.

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