Opposition rejects Kh Asif’s apology on remarks about Shireen Mazari

Stages walkout from NA; debate on budget continues

ISLAMABAD: The un-parliamentary language used by Minister for Defence and Water and Power Khawaja Asif for a female member continued to haunt the National Assembly proceedings on Thursday which saw a strong protest and walkout from the House by the opposition parties.

The minister, without naming Dr Shireen Mazari in his written letter and later on floor of the House, offered an apology. But the opposition members and Dr Shireen Mazari herself said that Khawaja Asif should mention her name while tendering an apology.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi of the PTI said that while using insulting remarks, Khawaja Asif was clearly referring to Dr Shireen Mazari, therefore, he should name her while apologising. He said by giving such gesture, “Khawaja Asif ‘Doodh bhee dey rahay hein and Maingnian bhee dal rahay hein” (he is doing it unwillingly).

However, Khawaja Asif said he exceeded from limits while using some remarks but he did not name any member. “I have tendered an unconditional apology, therefore, I shall be grateful if the matter is closed here,” he said. Asif said his reaction to continuous interference was natural but he felt that he had crossed limits while giving some remarks.

Shireen Mazari, not satisfied with the apologetic language of Khawaja Asif, said there were many other opposition members who were protesting during his speech. “But he particularly mentioned me while using insulting remarks, therefore, he should apologise to me,” she said, adding that the PTI and female members of opposition parties have rejected the apology tendered by the minister.

While Khawaja Asif was offering a verbal apology, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who was sitting next to his cabinet colleague, advised him to name Dr Shireen, but the advice was ignored, leading to a walkout by the opposition members.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq observed that Khawaja Asif had apologised, therefore, the opposition should also show a big heart.Taking strong exception to the remarks of the federal minister, the opposition members including Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr Nafeea Shah, Sahibzada Tariqullah and others also maintained that the minister should mention the name of the female member while tendering an apology.

Dr Nafeesa Shah said that insulting remarks used by the minister amounted to an insult of all the female members and the august House. “No one should be insulted because of one’s appearance or voice,” she said, adding that Dr Shireen Mazari was the target of the minister.

Shazia Mari was of the view that the speaker was the custodian of the House and he should have played his role in averting the situation. On that, the Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said he should not be dictated about what he should do.

Earlier, at the outset of the proceedings on Thursday morning, the speaker read out a letter of Khawaja Asif in which he tendered an apology to the House.“It seems that I allowed some of my remarks and conduct to be determined by hecklers from across the aisle, which I regret. My behaviour was improper for a political worker whose family has been blessed by Almighty Allah and the people of the constituency with membership of this august House for over five decades. My apologies to the chair and this august House,” the letter said.

Meanwhile, the female PML-N members seemed to be siding with Khawaja Asif as Shaista Pervaiz and Tahira Aurengzeb said Asif did not name Dr Shireen Mazari, therefore, he did not name her while tendering an apology.Shaista Pervaiz regretted that the meeting of Women’s Parliamentary Caucus was called on Thursday to take up the issue but no female opposition member turned up.

Meanwhile, continuing debate on budget proposals, Syed Naveed Qamar of the PPP said the government violated the Debt Limitation Act by borrowing more than 60 percent to the GDP during the last three years. He criticised the pathetic performance of the government in agriculture sector which impacted the GDP growth negatively. He said there was no mechanism given to implement the relief package announced for the agriculture sector.

Mir Zafarullah Jamali of the PML-N said declining exports, decreasing remittances rate and low investment were obstacles in improvement of economy.Jehangir Khan Tareen of the PTI was of the view that there was no vision or plan for the development of the country in the budget. He said independent economists are challenging the figures mentioned in the budget.

Mian Abdul Mannan of the PML-N said the government had focused on development of agriculture sector, particularly textiles, in the budget. He said as a result of measures taken by the government, tax collection had increased. He said credit rating agencies have put the economy of the country from negative to stable. He regretted that some elements were creating hurdles in its way. He criticised the PTI for creating obstacles in the country’s development process by its negative politics.