Internet mocks MNA Qadir Patel for kissing Zardari’s hands

Abdul Qadir Patel, a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and a leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is facing backlash on social media after a video showed him kissing the hands and attempting to touch the feet of PPP co-chairperson and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The video, widely shared online, shows Qadir Patel welcoming President Zardari upon his arrival at an unidentified location. During the interaction, Patel kissed Zardari’s hands and appeared to attempt to touch his feet, a gesture that was stopped by the president.

عبدالقادر پٹیل زرداری صاحب کے ہاتھ پاؤں چوم رہا ہے کسی اور جماعت میں ایسا نہیں ہوتا ۔۔ pic.twitter.com/FRkjRqV8Tp

— AMJAD KHAN (@iAmjadKhann) January 7, 2026

Netizens quickly questioned the conduct, calling it unbecoming of an elected lawmaker and former federal minister. Journalist Amir Mateen also weighed in, remarking:

“Patel went very close to the navel. If Sahib had not stopped him, he would have tried to go even lower. This is how ‘progress’ happens. A Bhutto will emerge from every house.”

ناف کے کافی قریب تک گئے پٹیل سائیں۔ اگر صاحب نہ روکتے تو وہ زرا نیچے تک بھی جانے کی کوشش کر رہے تھے۔ ایسے ہی ترقی ہوتی ہے۔ ہر گھر سے بھٹو نکلے گا۔ https://t.co/AkV2lCPQG9

— Amir Mateen (@AmirMateen2) January 7, 2026

Some social media users described the act as reflective of Hindu culture, while PPP supporters defended the gesture, arguing that it was part of Sindhi cultural traditions.

Here is how netizens reacted:

یہ کیا ہو رہا ہے ؟
بندے کے سامنے جھکنا یہ کونسے مذہب میں ہوتا ہے ؟
یہ کونسی عزت ہے کونسی روا یات میں اتا ہے ؟

— Rabbia Bibi (@Rabbia223344) January 8, 2026