PTI minister, female MPA clash in public

PESHAWAR: A female member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly leveled ignominious and humiliating allegations against KP government’s spokesperson and KP Information Minister Shah Farman in front of dozens of people at a five-star hotel in Islamabad, while the minister quietly stood and did not defend himself. The public display of the whole affair was watched by people in hotel’s lobby.

This issue was brought forward by Pakistan People’s Party’s MPA Ziaullah Afridi, and former minister, in an adjournment motion submitted to the provincial assembly. Text of Adjournment Motion: “By stopping the business of the provincial assembly, we must be allowed to debate on an important issue regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s spokesperson and Information Minister Shah Farman and a woman MPA."

"There was an exchange of humiliating and ignominious allegations between them at a five-star hotel. At that time, there were several people who watched this drama unfold in the lobby of the hotel. During the confrontation, the woman MPA leveled humiliating and ignominious allegations against provincial minister Shah Farman, who stood still without any response. "

"This incident is matter of shame for the honourable people of the KP. As a matter of fact, the woman MPA is a representative of the women of the entire province. Disrespecting a female MPA, therefore, tantamounts to disrespecting the women of the province. To investigate this matter, a committee should be formed comprising members of the provincial assembly; video footage must also be obtained from the hotel in order to help the investigation process.”

When the The News contacted provincial minister Shah Farman regarding Ziaullah Afridi’s adjournment motion and accusations, the minister denied any incident of that kind happening. Farman said an adjournment motion is submitted when something has happened. He further asked “where is the complainant if anything of this nature has happened?” However, the minister said the PTI members would submit a response to Afridi’s allegations in the assembly today.

When Ziaullah Afridi was contacted, he told The News correspondent that a private television channel had also covered that incident. He said video recordings could be obtained from the hotel which would bring the incident to public knowledge, besides revealing the identity of the complainant lady MPA. After obtaining the video, the lady MPA can also be inquired about the incident.”