Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Nusrat Sehar Abbasi Sunday said she was grieved that her fellow female MPAs did not condemn the abuse she was facing in the assembly.
Talking to a private media channel, she said she was upset over the indifference showed by women MPAs when she was being “abused” on the floor of the assembly after comments were passed by PPP’s Sindh Works and Services Minister Imdad Pitafi
“I am waiting for the decision of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the credit of us being a part of the legislature goes to Benazir Bhutto. I admit this and am proud of the fact that we are sitting in the assembly because of her,” she said, adding that a member of Benazir’s party abused me.
“I cannot explain what I am facing [right] now. My political career is at a stake, I am facing pressure from within my family and even my son, as he does not want her mother to continue [politics] because of the remarks I had to listen to,” said the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F)’s leader.
She said those dishonouring women from the platform of a party once led by a woman should be sacked.
“It was not ordinary eve-teasing or catcalling. A remark was passed and I was harassed. It is a matter of my honour,” said Abbasi.
She requested the PPP chairman to look into the matter, and thanked him for taking notice of the incident but added that he should continue the legacy of his mother.
She termed the incident a matter of life and death to her, and said: “If women are mistreated in the assembly, imagine how it is out on the streets.”
She recalled that in past, a chit was sent to PPP’s Shazia Marri in the same assembly, “At that time, my brothers from PPP physically assaulted the person involved because their honour was hurt. Where did their honour go when it came to me,” she questioned.
Within minutes after the issuance of Bilawal’s condemnatory statement, Pitafi said that he had already confessed his mistake and sought pardon on the issue, adding he would also apologise on the floor of the house.
The minister also said that he will respond to the notice, when received, and will accept any decision taken by the party leadership in that regard.
Earlier, Abbasi had demanded that the PPP leadership remove Pitafi from the ministry, as well as from the provincial assembly.