Hanif Abbasi expresses helplessness over daughter’s ‘political victimisation’

Doctor daughter of PML-N's incarcerated leader was ‘politically victimised’ by Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat

Hanif Abbasi, the incarcerated leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday expressed his helplessness saying he was one father who cannot even help out his own daughter in her time of need.

This he said in reaction to the reported ‘political victimisation’ of his daughter Dr Aria Abbasi at the hands of Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, Express News reported. Dr Aria worked at the Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) in Rawalpindi.

According to details, the Punjab law minister had directed BBH Medical Superintendent Dr Tariq Niazi to transfer Dr Aria. The MS, though, had ignored the orders. This angered Basharat who called Dr Niazi. In a telephonic conversation which went viral on Sunday, the law minister threatened the medical superintendent for disobeying his order.

In the recording, the minister can be heard speaking loudly to MS Dr Niazi, saying that the lady doctor must be sent to the skin department or he should get ready for dire consequences. The MS could also be heard apologising to the minister in the recording.



In his statement today, Abbasi said his daughter was targeted at a time when he was in jail and could not do much about it. “Is this Naya Pakistan where daughters are treated this way,” he questioned.

“Right now I am a helpless father who can’t do anything for his daughter … I leave the matter on the mercy of Almighty,” he remarked. Dr Aria graduated four years ago and now she has resigned, therefore she will not appear before any inquiry committee, he added.

Lauding BBH MS Dr Niazi for the courage and strong character he showed, Abbasi said the former was himself a father of four daughters and those with daughters respect other’s daughters as well.

On Monday, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid, however, took notice of the incident and directed the relevant authorities to probe the matter and present a report. Federal Health Minister Amir Kiani also said that the investigation will be conducted on merit.