Abusive language: PPP serves notice to Pitafi on Bilawal’s orders

Accused remarks during the assembly session on Friday invited the ire of women and human rights activists

KARACHI: A day after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) minister Imdad Pitafi violated parliamentary rules and used abusive language against Nusrat Seher Abbasi, an MPA belonging to Pakistan Muslim League - Functional (PML-F), Parliamentary Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro served Pitafi a show-cause notice on the directives of PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday.

Pitafi is the Sindh minister for works and services. Earlier, in his tweet, Bilawal addressed Pitafi and said that he must apologise. "Absolutely unacceptable behaviour and totally against the ethos of our party that has been led by [the] strongest of women."



Soon after Bilawal's statement, Pitafi admitted his mistake. "I accept my mistake and will also tender [an] apology on the floor of assembly," he said in a statement issued on Saturday, adding that he will submit the answer of the show-cause notice and is ready to accept whatever decision is made.

His remarks during the assembly session on Friday invited the ire of women and human rights activists.  Female PPP MPAs also criticised him for inviting Abbasi to his chamber for giving a briefing on roads sector schemes and called her 'drama queen'. MNA Nafisa Shah said that Pitafi's derogatory words against Nusrat are unacceptable. "He must apologize to assembly and the female MPA," she said.



Meanwhile, Abbasi and PML-F have demanded action against the minister. "His apology is not sufficient," said Abbasi. "PPP must remove his from the post of minister and MPA seat."

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2017.