Assembly outraged over doctor's murder

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday raised concerns over the abduction and murder of a lady doctor in Abbottabad, calling for immediate action against those responsible.

Lawmakers described the incident as shocking and unprecedented, highlighting gaps in police efficiency and stressing the need for swift justice.

During the assembly session, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati took notice of the case and summoned the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hazara to brief the house on the ongoing investigation. Speaking on the issue, Speaker Swati warned that any negligence in the probe would result in strict action against those responsible.

He confirmed that three individuals allegedly involved in the murder had been arrested but added that certain sensitive details could not be disclosed to avoid compromising the investigation.

Government member Iftikhar Khan highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that the abduction and killing of the doctor had spread fear and unease throughout Abbottabad. "The fact that a woman on duty could be abducted in broad daylight and murdered on the same day raises serious questions about police performance," he said.

ANP lawmaker Arbab Usman stressed that the police's investigative procedures were inadequate, often allowing criminals to evade justice. He proposed the formation of a special committee to oversee a fair and transparent investigation. PML-N's Amna Sardar also condemned the incident, describing the murder as a "slap on the face of society and the government" and criticizing the delayed police response.

Meanwhile, the assembly also witnessed a debate over the Hazara province resolution. ANP's Arbab Usman expressed reservations regarding the resolution passed unanimously by the house, claiming it would not benefit the public and should have been debated more thoroughly. PML-N's Sardar Shahjahan defended the resolution, stating that the process is fully constitutional under Article 239, and the proposal reflects the genuine demand of Hazara residents. Speaker Swati noted that the resolution had already been passed unanimously and that further debate was unnecessary at this stage.

Fiscal concerns were also raised during the session. PPP's Ahmad Kundi revealed that the provincial debt had reached Rs870 billion, significantly higher than the Finance Department's official claim of Rs679.54 billion. The speaker expressed frustration at the department's failure to submit a complete report to the standing committee, directing that detailed information on external and internal debt be provided promptly. Lawmakers also questioned the appointment of Bank of Khyber board directors, which the speaker referred to relevant committees for further review.

The session concluded with Speaker Swati reiterating the assembly's commitment to public safety, transparent governance, and fiscal accountability. Lawmakers resolved to monitor the investigation into the lady doctor's murder closely while continuing oversight of provincial financial management and legislative matters.