The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), whose chief Imran Khan has been accused by MNA Ayesha Gulalai of sexual harassment, has expressed solidarity with Ayesha Ahad, former wife of Punjab chief minister’s son Hamza Shahbaz who has announced to move polls supervisory body against her former husband.
Addressing a joint press conference on Saturday with the PTI’s female leaders including Firdous Ashiq Awan, Ayesha Ahad once again claimed that MNA Hamza lied to her that he had divorced his previous wife prior to their marriage in 2010.
“I will present all evidences to establish this lie before the ECP [Election Commission of Pakistan] and get Hamza Shehbaz disqualified,” Ayesha Ahad claimed. “Hamza Shehbaz is neither Sadiq nor Ameen. The entire Sharif family has teamed up to defend lies,” she added.
She said in Ayesha Gulalai’s case, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi constituted a parliamentary committee to probe into her allegation but in her case no such panel was ever formed.
On Friday, the National Assembly passed a motion calling for the formation of a special parliamentary committee to investigate allegations levelled against Imran by Ayesha Gulalai.
“A parliamentary committee should also be formed to probe into my allegations against Hamza,” she said, adding that she also had ‘SMS’ to support her claim.
Charges against Imran: NA panel to investigate Gulalai’s allegations
She claimed that goons of a PML-N leader Maqsood Butt were used to terrorise her. Ayesha Ahad, however, clarified that she did not represent any political party but demanded free and fair investigation.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said both Ayeshas should be treated in the same way. She demanded that prosecution should play its role in Ayesha Ahad’s case, adding that Ayesha Gulalai was used as a political tool.
Apparently, the PTI chief was overjoyed when Ayesha Ahad came to rescue him and his party from the onslaught of the media and the PML-N in the backdrop of Ayesha Gulalai’s allegations. And as soon as Ayesha Ahad concluded her press conference, Imran took to Twitter to hit out at his rivals.
“First test for new PM: Will he set up parliamentary committee to investigate serious allegations levelled by Ayesha Ahad against PML-N MNA?” Imran questioned.
In a subsequent tweet, Imran said, “Or will he (PM) remain a darbari of the Sharif’s and ignore allegations by Ayesha Ahad including torture by Punjab police and deception by Hamza Sharif?”
First test for new PM: Will he set up Parl Comm to investigate serious allegations levelled by Ayesha Ahad ag PMLN MNA Hamza Sharif?
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 5, 2017
Or will he remain a darbari of the Sharifs & ignore allegations by Ayesha Ahad incl torture by Punjab police & deception by Hamzah Sharif? https://t.co/He4PCsO7jz
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 5, 2017
Women rights activists should stand by Ayesha Ahad's quest for justice denied to her for 7 yrs ag physical + mental abuse by Hamza Sharif
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 5, 2017
Ayesha Ahad contacted me saying she fears for her & her daughter's lives. Incumbent on PM & police to provide her security ag Sharif mafia
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 5, 2017
In another tweet, he said, “Women rights activists stand by Ayesha Ahad’s quest for justice denied to her for seven years against physical and mental abuse by Hamza Shahbaz”.
Seeing their chairman’s quick response to the development, party’s senior leadership also joined him and condemned the Sharif family for ‘maltreating’ the MNA’s former wife.
The PTI’s chief whip in NA Shireen Mazari said, “Shocked by Ayesha Ahad’s revelations! Lied to by Hamza about not having another wife; tortured by cops to get confession; fake FIR, shameful.”
Mazari added, “For seven years Ayesha seeking justice but the Sharif’s badshahat in Punjab resulted in police brutality against her and fake terrorism charges.”
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