Ruckus in KP Assembly: Muqam wants probe, action against ‘PTI hooligans’

PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD: Condemning the hooliganism and physical and verbal assault on party’s woman lawmaker in the recent session of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Member National Assembly Amir Muqam on Saturday sought action against the ‘hooligans of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’.

Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, he said the PTI ‘goons’ used abusive language against the PMLN lawmaker Sobia Shahid and threw shoes and a lota at her besides passing insulting remarks against other opposition members.

PMLN Member Provincial Assembly Sobia Shahid, Women Wing general secretary Farah Khan and others were also present on the occasion.

Amir Muqam said that they had formally submitted an application to the East Cantt Police Station for the registration of a case against the unruly crowd at the KP Assembly. He threatened to file a case with the Federal Investigation Agency and other law-enforcing agencies if the police did not register their first information report against the violent PTI workers.

He said that events on the floor of a legislative assembly on that day against a woman lawmaker had ashamed all Pakhtuns across the country and the world as well.

The PMLN leader questioned as to who and how so many party workers were brought to the assembly hall, demanding strict action against those MPAs and party leaders. He demanded a transparent probe into the harassment of the women lawmaker and other opposition members and exemplary punishment for the hooligans.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa MPA Sobia Shahid met PMLN President Shehbaz Sharif Saturday to recount the ill-treatment she had endured at the hands of members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) during a KP assembly session. She informed Shehbaz that the PTI-backed SIC members had harassed her during the proceedings, hurling insults and objects such as mobile phone chargers, Naswar and Charas. Sobia Shahid also disclosed that she was threatened with not being administered the oath. Shehbaz Sharif commended Sobia Shahid’s courage and composure in the face of mistreatment during the KP Assembly session, saying “The PMLN leadership and the entire nation stand behind you, saluting your bravery and determination.” He emphasised the significance of Islam and the respect it accords to women in all roles, including as mothers, daughters and wives.

Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that he had also discussed the matter with Nawaz Sharif, who strongly condemned the incident.

Sobia Shahid mentioned that she had filed a report with the police station concerned to register an FIR against the responsible individuals. Shehbaz Sharif assured Sobia Shahid that every possible legal support would be provided to her.

PMLN parliamentarians Saad Rafique, Attaullah Tarar, Romina Alam Khan, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, and Amir Muqam Shamla were also present.