ISLAMABAD: Disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member National Assembly (MNA) Ayesha Gulalai on Tuesday criticised the government over its failure to implement reforms in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
She also dismissed the idea of appointing a COO to oversee the process.
Addressing reporters outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Gulalai said “this is another trick by the bureaucracy to misappropriate funds”.
While lambasting ministers for criticising the army, she said that the army is the only institution working in the country.
“Our troops are fighting for us on the frontline, away from their homes. They have eliminated terrorism from the country after tremendous sacrifice,” said Gulalai.
Gulalai, who hails from South Waziristan Agency, appreciated the World Bank for announcing aid worth $114 million recently for the people of tribal areas.
While addressing the issue of domestic violence in the country, she urged women to empower themselves by getting an education and asked men to not lock women inside the houses, adding that depriving women of education should not be considered pardah— referring to the custom of keeping women indoors.
“Don’t think you are weak. Be strong. Get education. And give the power of education to your children. Otherwise, learn a skill so you are not dependent on anyone,” said Gulalai, stressing further that women should give polio drops to their children so they are not handicapped.
“Let your daughters come into sports,” pleaded Gulalai, whose own younger sister is a renowned squash champion of the country.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has sent a reference against Gulalai to the ECP seeking to denotify her from the assembly for her violation of party discipline.
On August 1 this year, Gulalai had announced her exit from the party amid a flurry of scathing allegations against Imran Khan and other top party members.
Gulalai made the announcement moments before the election of a new prime minister, citing “ill-treatment” of women in the party as the reason behind her decision. She claimed that she had communicated her grievances to the party leadership but no action had been taken.
Gulalai had also announced leaving the PTI but later on decided to stay put, saying instead that Imran should be the one who is expelled from the party.
The ECP hearing on Tuesday was adjourned until October 4.
