LAHORE: PML-N MNA Sheikh Rohail Asghar’s claim that hurling abuses is part of Punjab culture continues to attract criticism.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar says use of abusive language is an ingrained culture of PML-N leaders, having no resemblance with the centuries-old societal traditions of Punjab.

Chiding the MNA for using abusive language in the National Assembly, the chief minister said the MNA should be ashamed of terming name-calling a colloquial tradition.

World Punjabi Congress chief Fakhar Zaman has also criticised Rohail Asghar.Terming the statement as irresponsible, Mr Zaman said in a statement here on Thursday that Punjabi was the language of Sufis, tolerance and brotherhood.

“The MNA’s remarks showed that the elitist group, bureaucracy and politicians have no regard for their mother tongue.”

He threatened to demonstrate outside the Punjab Assembly if the parliamentarian didn’t control his tongue and showed disrespected to Punjabi language again.

Meanwhile, the chief minister claimed that the Punjab government had posted officers purely on merit and police and administrative officials had been made totally independent to perform official duties.

“Officers are no more being ridiculed nor pressurised,” he claimed.

Regretting that the self-respect of some officers was hurt in the past but the government officials were now totally independent to perform their duties.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2021