Opposition demands resignation of Saad Rafique

PML-N legislator seeks action in women harassment cases

LAHORE: Opposition benches demanded the resignation of Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique till the completion of a NAB inquiry against him.

The demand was made by PTI’s Shoaib Siddiqi through his resolution submitted in the Punjab Assembly. He contended that the connection of Rafique has been revealed with the Paragon Housing Society. He implored the chief executive of Paragon City and director of Paragon Exchange were his front men through their help the black money is converted into white.



He said there was allegation on Rafique pertaining to grabbing of land that belonged to widows and orphans. He said NAB has started investigation against scams of Paragon City. He claimed those who had been awarded contracts of Ashiana Housing Scheme were the close aide of the railways minister.

He said the henchmen of Rafique used to occupy the land of the poor people and the housing scheme was the biggest housing society in the Punjab. He said the victims approached NAB and complained against Khawaja Saad Rafique. He demanded of the PM for the resignation of the Rafique.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) legislator Hina Pervez Butt demanded of the government to take serious action against the increasing number of women harassment cases in the province. She said women were being harassed in politics, showbiz, educational and others institutions although the government had passed “Protection of women against violence bill” despite the opposition of religious parties.



According to the bill, it was the obligation of the state to protect the rights of women and take measures for conducting seminars, workshops and awareness campaign regarding women protection.

She demanded the government to take serious action against the increasing number of harassment cases.

The issue of ‘Black Friday’ also came under discussion in the assembly when a woman legislator from the opposition benches demanded of the government for taking strict action against those observing so-called ‘Black Friday’.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2017.