BOOM Edition 3 Jul 2016 Issue | Page 18

REPORT The story behind the Qandeel selfie that got Mufti Qavi suspended F acebook celebrity Qandeel Baloch and Mufti Abdul Qavi make an unlikely pair, but that's not the only reason why their selfies have stirred up a storm. The photos made headlines when their 'controversial' nature led to Mufti Qavi's suspension from the Ruet-iHilal Committee as well as the National Ulema Mushaikh Council. Just how controversial were those selfies? A conversation with Qandeel and Mufti Qavi sheds some light on the matter; a tale of claims, counterclaims and denial. It began with Neo Qandeel and Mufti Qavi were first acquainted during a live interview on Neo TV's show Ajeeb Sa, hosted by Rana Matlub. While on air, Qavi declared his desire to visit Qandeel on his next trip to Karachi.According to Qandeel, he made many attempts to make that happen. "We were both on [Ajeeb Sa], him from Multan, me in Karachi and our host was in Lahore. You may have seen it. He said he would be in Karachi for the moon sighting and that it was possible we would meet. I said 'Ji mufti sahib, most welcome'," Qandeel shared with Images. "He’s publicity-hungry. He took my number from the media organisation and contacted me, saying 'I promised I would meet you'. He said 'I’m coming on this date' and then sent me his flight PNR number. But on chand raat I was in Lahore for a modelling gig and couldn’t meet him." Special iftars "He came to Karachi again, the second time for an iftar transmission. He texted his flight number again. I told him I will come to see you tomorrow or day after but I couldn’t go as I wasn’t well." "The third time he came, he texted and said from Monday to Friday, I will be in Karachi as I am on Amir Liaquat’s iftar transmission. Then I called him. I apologised for not meeting him earlier. He asked me to come after iftari, but I said no, I will come in the afternoon.""He texted first, then I called," Qandeel emphasised, adding, "I think this is why there is confusion [about who called whom] and he says I called him. I only called him for this reason." 18 | BOOM