ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly passed on Friday a resolution calling for the formation of a committee to probe MNA Ayesha Gulalai’s allegations against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
The resolution, which was put forward by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Arfa Khalid, called for the committee to hold in-camera proceedings over the issue and submit its investigation report in a month.
The speaker has been asked to form the committee and include members of both treasury and opposition benches in it.
The resolution was supported by the PML-N, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
PTI members were not present in the assembly when the resolution was taken up.
The prime minister, in his address to the assembly earlier, also called for the formation of such a committee as ‘matters of the house should be dealt with in the house’.
During the session, women lawmakers also spoke on the issue.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s Naeema Kishwar called for presenting the report of the inquiry committee in Parliament.
PPP’s Nafeesa Shah stressed holding an unemotional debate on the issue and wondered why the PTI was overreacting so much.
“In our society, a woman who rises up for her rights faces allegations herself,” said Shah.
PML-N’s Marvi Memon said Ayesha has shown courage to come out and speak. “I can say on oath that what she has said is 100 per cent true. She’s not the only one to have faced this, and by coming out she is giving strength to others who are still quiet,” she said.
PTI’s Shireen Mazari said if Ayesha has proof she should bring it forward.
Mazari also lashed out at the ‘defenders of women’, saying where were they when PML-N’s Khawaja Asif used foul language against her on the floor of the assembly.
