PESHAWAR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Arbab Khizer Hayat has apologised over taking famous Pashto singer, Gul Panrra, to the bungalow of Khyber deputy commissioner where she danced in the spacious lawns and made video viral on TikTok.

In a clarification issued here on Monday, Mr Hayat admitted that he took Gul Panrra to the official residence as a family member where the woman recorded a TikTok dance video and aired it on social media, causing reaction from official circles.

Taking serious notice of the incident, deputy commissioner, Khyber, Mehmood Alam Wazir directed the assistant commissioner to probe the incident and submit report within 24 hours.

‘‘On July 17, I went to Landi Kotal for a visit of different historical sites in the area along with family members,’’ said Khizar Hayat in the statement. He said singer Gul Panrra joined the family during the visit to Michni Fort.

Mr Hayat added that he contacted assistant commissioner, Khyber, Mohammad Imran and requested him to allow them to have refreshment in his official residence and the offer was accepted.

After refreshment, the family members began visiting the premises and inadvertently entered the official residence of Khyber deputy commissioner from a back door, where the singer recorded a dance video, which later went viral.

He said all that had happened without his knowledge and permission, so he sought apology from the quarters concerned for the singer’s mistake.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2020