Charges against Imran: NA panel to investigate Gulalai’s allegations

PM orders 24/7 security for Gulalai; Sheikh Rashid demands investigation into his manhandling during election on Aug 1

ISLAMABAD: On the proposal of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the National Assembly decided on Friday to constitute a special committee to probe into allegations of harassment levelled by a female lawmaker of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Ayesha Gulalai, against the party’s chairman, Imran Khan.

The house suspended the Question Hour and the regular agenda to discuss the incident of manhandling of Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on the parliament premises besides Gulalai’s allegations of harassment against Imran.

The house adopted a motion to constitute a special committee, which has been given one month to investigate the issue.

Lawmakers of PTI, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged a walkout for 10 minutes against the manhandling of Sheikh Rashid.

Intervening during the debate on the alleged harassment of Gulalai, Premier Abbasi said, “One member of the assembly has levelled allegations against the other and it will be appropriate to handle the matter at the house’s level.”

He said proceedings of the special committee should be held in-camera and its report be submitted to the house, adding that investigations by the special committee would allow both sides to defend themselves.



Referring to the threats being received by Gulalai, the premier said he had directed the Islamabad police chief to provide 24/7 security to her.

A heated debate on Gulalai’s alleged harassment created ruckus in the lower house of parliament as lawmakers from treasury benches and PTI traded barbs. Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi kept on attempting to bring order in the house.

Shagufta Jamani said there should be proper investigation into the allegations otherwise women would hesitate to join politics.

Marvi Memon said, “Gulalai demonstrated courage and everyone should appreciate her. Memon condemned attempts to gag Gulalai’s voice.

Paying tribute to her, Memon said she was ready to say on oath that Gulalai was telling the truth.

Dr Nafisa Shah and Naeema Kishwar, while supporting the prime minister's proposal of constituting a special committee, proposed Gulalai to lodge a written complaint for an inquiry committee to investigate the issue as envisioned in the Harassment of Women Law.

Responding to comments made by the women lawmakers of treasury benches, Dr Shireen Mazari stated that if investigation was to be conducted then it should also include Khawaja Asif.



While levelling accusations against Asif that he had called her names on the floor of the house, she said, “Where were the PML-N female lawmakers at that time.”

She said, “If Gulalai has proof, then she should present it.”

She blamed the PML-N for photo-shopping Benazir Bhutto’s portrait besides targeting Jemima Khan, former wife of Imran Khan.

Dr Mazari said, “Hamza Shahbaz should also be investigated for similar allegations.”

Earlier, when given the floor, Sheikh Rashid said that on August 1, when a new leader of the house was elected, he was attacked by hired murderers wanted by law in two to three murder cases and were out on bail.

He said there were only five policemen for his protection while the hitmen were 500 in number.  Wondering how they entered the premises without passes, he said, “They were loaded onto buses and brought here without identification.”

Without naming Captain (retd) Safdar, he said: “Will this employee of 1500 riyals behead me. I want an investigation into the manhandling incident.”

PPPP’s Naveed Qamar, PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi, JI’s Sahabzada Tariqullah, MQM’s Shaikh Salahuddin and Jamshed Dasti also supported Rashid over his privilege motion.

Later, Captain Safdar said it was Mian Sharif’s principle to give 1500 riyals as pocket money to him in Jeddah and he had also informed the Joint Investigation Team, which probed into the Sharif family’s offshore assets about it. However, he raised a question as to how Sheikh Rashid came to know.