Maryam Nawaz stopped Uzma Kardar from hugging her

Rating Justification

The iVerify Pakistan team has checked this content and has established that it is misleading.

To arrive at this verdict, the iVerify Pakistan team checked the official account of PML-N’s MPA from Punjab, Uzma Kardar, and the PML-N official account to see if any clarification was given.

HOW IT STARTED

On February 26, 2024, a clip circulated on social media platform TikTok alleging that the newly-elected Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stopped Uzma Kardar from hugging her.

The clip gained over 134,000 views on TikTok.

The same clip was shared by another news channel which gained over 27,000 views on TikTok.

It is pertinent to mention that today marks the 11th day of disruption of X and some VPNs in Pakistan, rendering the iVerify Pakistan team unable to assess the virality of clip on platform X.

METHODOLOGY

The iVerify Pakistan team sought to determine the veracity of the claim as the video of Maryam meeting Kardar gained popularity on different social media platforms where many users critically judged and commented on the former’s behaviour.

Investigating the claim, the team attempted to obtain the official statement from PML-N regarding the situation. The party has not addressed the clip as yet. However, a clarification video was shared by Kardar herself on X.

In the almost two-minute-long video statement, the Punjab MPA opened up about the matter hours after the incident occurred.

Below is the relevant transcript of her clarification:

“I want to clarify what happened earlier today. I was having breakfast, enjoying some halwa puri, when Maryam Sahiba approached me and greeted me. I became emotional at the moment. I got up to hug her as a gesture of greeting, but in a rush of emotions, I forgot that my hands were greasy from the breakfast (halwa puri) I was having”.

“Suddenly, I realized that my hands were oily, so I withdrew them from Maryam. I should have been more careful at that moment”.

She further added, “I would like to request those who are sharing the clip on social media and criticising Maryam, to stop engaging in such pointless actions and show respect for others”

BACKGROUND

According to Dawn.com report, the Punjab Assembly on February 26 elected PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz as the first female chief minister of the province and Pakistan.

Maryam was declared the 30th chief minister of Punjab and the first woman to rule the largest province of the country as she received 220 votes against rival Rana Aftab Ahmed Khan of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

CONCLUSION

In the circulated clip, Kardar and Maryam Nawaz can be seen embracing, but the latter removes the former’s hand from her left shoulder.

Based on the footage and Kardar’s clarification, the iVerify Pakistan team has concluded that the claim regarding Maryam Nawaz stopping Uzma Kardar from hugging her is misleading.

Evidence and References

February 26, 2024: CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz oath taking ceremony in Governor House
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpnJbiZnHB4