Assembly session: Lawmaker Rehana Abbadi demands security from G-B govt

GILGIT: Rehana Abbadi, a lawmaker in Gilgit-Baltistan, has demanded security from the government as she is receiving death threats. The request was made through a motion moved in Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly on the third day of its proceedings on Thursday.

“I belong to a religious family and have been receiving threats from opponents,” she informed the house. “I strongly urge the government to provide me with security. If they fail to do so, the government will be responsible for whatever happens to me.”

Abbadi is a member of Islami Tehrik Pakistan
(ITP) and was elected on a women’s seat in June. She is among the six women lawmakers in the 33-member legislative assembly.

“I have been attacked by my opponents in the past as well,” she said. “However, the government did not take measures to ensure my security.”

Groundswell of support

The lawmaker’s request stirred debate in the assembly. Assembly members unanimously demanded the provision of foolproof security for Abbadi.

“This is a serious matter and the government must help,” said Deputy Speaker Jafarullah Khan. Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Imran Nadeem also threw his weight behind the deputy speaker and demanded the provision of security for Abbadi. Speaker Fida Muhammad Naushad urged G-B IGP Zafar Iqbal Awan to deploy a guard for her.

Regularisation

During the proceedings, Haider Khan, a lawmaker from the treasury benches, demanded the regularisation of contract employees whose parents lost their lives during service. The employees were hired on a contractual basis under an official package. They range from grade 1 to grade 15 officers.

“Although many contract employees have been regularised, there are 153 of them still waiting their turn,” said Haider. Parliamentary Secretary for Law Advocate Aurangzeb Khan informed the house that a committee had already made a series of recommendations to regularise the employees.

The speaker asked the government to take measures in light of recommendations made by the committee.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2015.