Fayyazul Hassan Chohan resigns as Punjab minister

Punjab Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan has resigned from his ministry, the spokesperson for Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has confirmed.

Dr Shahbaz Gill, the chief minister's spokesperson, told DawnNewsTV that Chohan tendered his resignation and it was also accepted.

Chohan had come under intense criticism from senior members of his party's government and social media users over his recent derogatory remarks directed against the Hindu community.

The minister, known for his tub-thumping manner of speech, was addressing an event in Lahore on February 24 when responding to India's rhetoric in the aftermath of the Pulwama bombing, he conflated Indians with Hindus and used disparaging words for the religious community.

As a video clip of the derisive remarks went viral on Monday, Twitterati on Tuesday using the hashtag '#SackFayazChohan' asked the government to take action against Chohan and remove him from his post.

Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Political Affairs Naeemul Haque in a tweet had said that PTI would not "tolerate this nonsense", adding that action would be taken against the minister after consultation with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

"PTI govt will not tolerate this nonsense from a senior member of the govt or from anyone," he wrote.

More details to follow