ISLAMABAD: Consistent queries by a reporter over the failure of the government to get the IMF deal irked Finance Minister Ishaq Dar who eventually pushed and allegedly slapped him.

The reporter of a news agency, Shahid Qureshi, constantly asked Mr Dar about the reasons for the failure of the government to sign the IMF deal. He continued to chase him to the parking lot of the parliament building despite refusal by the minister to talk.As he could not shrug him off even by apparently ignoring the continuous questioning, the minister turned back, headed to the reporter who was holding a mobile camera and asked in a loud voice `What do you want`? The footage followed the engagement between the two and later Mr Qureshi stated on social media that the minister had slapped him in the face. The sound could be heard in the video that went viral on social media.

The video showed the ministersaying he had spoken much on the matter inside parliament. To the question why Pakistan was failing to get the IMF package, the minister said: `Until you people are in the system.

As the reporter said: `Sir we are not in the system, we only ask a question?` the minister asked his security staff to stop him, who pushed the reporter. As a result, the camera fell down.

Meanwhile, many anchorpersons and media people expressed support to Mr Qureshi on social media platforms.-Kalbe Ali