February 16, 2007	Friday	Muharram 27, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 15: Members belonging to the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Thursday staged a token walkout from the National Assembly to protest against the alleged attack on People’s Party Parliamentarians information secretary MNA Sherry Rehman during a protest rally in Karachi on Wednesday.

Speaking on a point of order, Raja Pervez Ashraf of the PPP alleged that an unknown person had attacked Ms Rehman causing her serious injury.

Mr Ashraf said Ms Rehman was in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Ziauddin Hospital in Karachi. He expressed concern over the recent incidents in which members of parliament had been attacked, particularly in Sindh. He asked the speaker to direct the Sindh government to present a report on the incident. He said the opposition members would stage a token walkout against the attitude of the Sindh government. Members of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) did not participate in the walkout.

Later, Minister of State for Interior Zafar Iqbal Warraich assured the house that he would ask the Sindh government to investigate the matter and present a report.

Mr Ashraf and Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, speaking at a news conference, called for removal of the Sindh government and imposition of governor’s rule in the province after its failure in maintaining law and order situation.

The PPP leaders complained that during the recent by-polls in Karachi and Jamshoro, murder attacks had been carried out on women legislators of the party.

They expressed lack of confidence in the chief election commissioner (CEC) and demanded his replacement before the general elections.

Meanwhile, the doctors treating Ms Rehman confirmed that the she had fallen unconscious after being hit by a hard object and not fainted due to suffocation or any other reason.