ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly on Monday witnessed the trading of disparaging personal remarks between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Asif Hasnain of the MQM stood up to make a point of order at the start of proceedings. He immediately mentioned the confinement of Aysha Ahad Malik and her parents, brothers and sister by the Punjab government.
He said that Malik is being punished for publicising her marriage to Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, son of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The statement prompted the PML-N to express their disapproval, but Hasnain continued undeterred in his assessment that the Punjab government had misused its powers.
The PML-N responded in firm tones to the MQM. “We can bring documentary evidence, including video recordings, against them if they want to discuss personal lives,” said Capt. Muhammad Safdar.
Later on the parliamentary leader of the MQM, Dr Farooq Sattar, addressed the NA. “Every member of this house is respectable to us and we have not come here to discuss people’s personal lives. But we will raise our voices if the state authority is used against a daughter of the nation,” he said.
Sattar added that the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court had granted bail to Malik but she was illegally imprisoned when a new case of abduction was registered against her.
The PML-N’s Sardar Mehtab Abbasi said that the personal lives of members should not be discussed in the house. Abbasi was joined by every sitting member of the PML-N as he protested against the MQM, as sloganeering and desk-thumping were thrown into the mix.
The NA also agreed on Monday to set up a special parliamentary committee to examine the reasons for the power crisis and submit its proposals to the government before the next session. Despite being passed in the house, the plan has been met with criticism.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2011.
COMMENTS (5)
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MQM should be applauded for standing up for the common citizen of Pakistan. How can PML expect to win when such incidents like killing of minorities, burning of religious places, making women walk clothes less and lynching in public goes unchecked under the present Punjab Govt. The PMLN has to work on it's image
@Karachi Citizen: If you are from Karachi then you will not ask this question... Secondly this question should be forwarded to Sindh Govenment.
I support MQM since everyone including women is free in this country and can not supress, inlcuding the spouses of politicians. Please take things positively.
I support MQM in this stance because No Pakistani women will ever submit to our corrupt, gutless and cruel Politicians.
Following is said by Mr. Sattar, i like to ask What about MQM-H Leader is still in Jail despite court has acquitted him. and lot more
"Later on the parliamentary leader of the MQM, Dr Farooq Sattar, addressed the NA. “Every member of this house is respectable to us and we have not come here to discuss people’s personal lives. But we will raise our voices if the state authority is used against a daughter of the nation,” he said.strong text"