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Updated 23 Jan, 2017 08:12am

Abbasi complains of indifference from women MPAs

Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Nusrat Sehar Abbasi Sunday said she was upset over the indifference showed by women MPAs when she was being "abused" on the floor of the assembly after comments were passed by PPP's Pitafi.

Talking on DawnNews Infocus, she said that she was grieved that her fellow female MPAs did not condemn the abuse she was facing in the assembly.

"I am waiting for the decision of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as the credit of us being part of the legislature goes to Benazir Bhutto. I admit this and am proud of the fact that we are sitting in the assembly because of her," she said, adding that a member of Benazir's party abused her.

"I can not explain what I am facing now. My political carrier is on stake, I am facing pressure from within my family and even my son as he does not want her mother to continue (politics) because of the remarks I had to listen to," said the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F)'s leader.

She said that those dishonouring women from the platform of a party once led by a woman should be sacked.

"It was not ordinary eve-teasing or catcalling. A remark was passed and I was harassed. It is a matter of my honour," said Abbasi.

She requested the PPP chairman to look into the matter, and thanked him for taking notice of the incident but added that he should continue the legacy of his mother.

She termed the incident a matter of life and death to her, and said "if women are mistreated in the assembly then imagine how it is out on the streets".

She recalled that in past a chit was sent to PPP's Shazia Marri in the same assembly, "at that time, my brothers from PPP physically assaulted the person involved because their honour was hurt. Where did their honour go when it came to me," she questioned.

Bilawal on Saturday directed provincial party head Nisar Khuhro to issue a show-cause notice to Pitafi and take further action if Pitafi failed to defend himself adequately in his response.

Within minutes after the issuance of Bilawal's statement, Pitafi said that he had already confessed his mistake and sought pardon on the issue. He further said that he will also say sorry on the floor of the House.

The minister also said that he will respond to the notice, when received, and will accept any decision taken by the party leadership in this regard.

Earlier, Abbasi had demanded that the PPP leadership remove Pitafi from the ministry as well as from the provincial assembly.

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