‘Topi drama’: Privilege committee gives last chance to Chaudhry Nisar

Chaudhry Nisar summoned on June 14, committee warns of legal action if he fails to appear. PHOTO: INP/ FILE

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly Committee on Rules and Privileges on Tuesday said it would declare Opposition Leader of the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan as a ‘proclaimed offender’ and notify him through newspaper advertisements to appear before the committee to explain his remarks against the Sindhi culture.

The committee, which met under Chairman Ghulam Mujadid Isran, decided to give Chaudhry Nisar a ‘last chance’ to appear before them on June 14, and warned that legal action could be initiated against him under Sindh Assembly Privileges Act, 1975 if he did not turn up.

The video of Chaudhry Nisar’s press conference, where he had reportedly ridiculed the traditional Sindhi cap and Ajrak, was also screened.

Chaudhry Nisar had said, “They (ruling leaders) wear Sindhi cap and Ajrak whenever a difficult time faces the country to gain sympathy of (Sindhi) people, while President Asif Ali Zardari has appointed ‘bouncers’ in the Sindh Government.”

Committee Chairman Isran said notices were sent to Chaudhry Nisar through NA Secretary, however, he did not turn up in any of the previous meetings. He observed that the committee didn’t want to take any decision in haste, announcing of giving ads in newspapers to notify Chaudhry Nisar to appear before the committee on June 14 at 2pm.

He warned that Chaudhry Nisar could be sentenced up to six months or face fine of Rs5000 or both under Section-14(1) of Sindh Assembly Privileges Act, 1975 if he continued neglecting the committee directives.

Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, who is an ex-officio member of the committee, said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Ahsan Iqbal and Pervaiz Rasheed had observed that Chaudhry Nisar did not speak against Sindhi culture, and screening of the press conference has been arranged to inform the PML-N about it, he added.

He said if the prime minister of Pakistan can make it to the Supreme Court then Chaudhry Nisar should also appear before the house committee.

“He is trying to treat Sindh people as his slaves. Selfless are those who fled the country,” Soomro remarked. “We are giving ads in newspapers for his necessary appearance so that people may know Chaudhry Nisar is a proclaimed offender,” he added.

The law minister further appealed to the chairman to give Chaudhry Nisar the last chance to appear and send him a notice through the Speaker National Assembly.

MPA Imran Zafar Laghari, who is a joint mover of the motion along with minority MPA Saleem Khursheed Khokhar, criticised Chaudhry Nisar and said he uttered remarks against the august assembly that passed the Pakistan resolution in 1940.

“He dubbed Sindh Assembly members ‘bouncers’ – a slang expression – which has extremely offensive meaning. Besides he ridiculed traditional Sindhi topi and hurt the sentiments of Sindhi people.”

Imran also appealed to the committee chairman to take a final decision on a privilege motion against Chaudhry Nisar.