NA welcomes Gulalai's harassment probe committee

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly members from opposition and treasury Friday welcomed the constitution of a committee mandated to probe the harassment charges of PTI MNA Ayesha Gulalai against her party's chief Imran Khan. Speaking on a point of order, Ms Shagufta Jumani of PPP said Ayesha Gulalai has hurled charges against Imran Khan and urged the House to take notice of PTI's alleged threats to Ayesha Gulalai. Dr Shireen Mehrunnisa Mazari asked Ayesha Gulalai to share evidences against charges levelled against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan. "If Ayesha Gulalai has any evidences, she should share with the House," she added. Dr Nafisa Shah of PPP congratulated Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for being elected as a leader of the house. She asked for conducting investigation of the allegations and welcomed the announcement of the committee to probe the incident. Dr Nafisa Shah asked Ayesha Gulalai to give a written complaint in the house for starting investigations. She condemned maligning campaign against Squash player Maria Toorpakai by the PTI supporters and demanded FIA's investigations to probe the campaign lunched by the PTI supporters against country's top squash player. She said that women parliamentarians should be treated equal to male parliamentarians. "If a vote of woman parliamentarian is equal to male parliamentarian then why we are not being treated equally in the parliament," she questioned. She also congratulated Prime Minister for announcing in-camera committee to investigate the allegations of Ayesha Gulalai. "This is a good start and right step by leader of the house," she added. Abdul Rashid Godil welcomed Prime Minister's suggestion for formation of an in-camera committee to investigate Ayesha Gulalai's allegations. Welcoming the constitution of a special inquiry committee to probe allegations against Imran Khan, Naeema Kishwar Khan demanded thorough probe of corruption allegations against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. She was of the view that the allegations of Gulalai will discourage women to actively participate in country's politics. Sher Akbar Khan of Jamat-e-Islami demanded starting investigations of Ayesha Gulalai's allegations and welcomed formation of the special committee announced. He also suggested for including one member each from all political parties in the special committee. PML-N's Surriya Asghar said, it was unfortunate that politics of abuse had been introduced in the country. Wasim Hussain called for handling Gulalai issue carefully as our religion emphasizes great respect for women. Speaking on a point of personal explanation Caption (r) Safdar of PMl-N demanded stern action against Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid for breaching his privilege. - AGENCIES