Second marriage controversy: NA committee lashes out at PTV MD

Women MPAs stick up for Aisha Sana, take Yousuf Baig Mirza to task.

ISLAMABAD:

Women members of the NA Standing Committee on Human Rights lashed out at Managing Director of the Pakistan Television (PTV) Yousuf Baig Mirza on Tuesday.

Mirza made an appearance before the committee on Tuesday, after being summoned to explain his position over claims made by PTV anchor Aisha Sana that he married her and was the father of her child. The MD, however, has been denying the claims.

Pakistan Muslim League Like-Minded’s MNA Kashmala Tariq is said to have taken Mirza to task during the meeting. She said that if Mirza was still living with his former wife Jamila, he should be punished under the law of Hadd.

Another member of the committee MNA Attia Inayatullah supported Kashmala and said that Sana’s case should be made an example to discourage violation of women’s rights in Pakistan.

Kashmala also criticised the committee chairperson Riaz Fatiana for getting involved and trying to settle the issue outside the committee.  Mirza was asked to ensure his presence during the next meeting of the committee on January 31, 2013.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2013.