ISLAMABAD: Criticisms of Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Hafiz Hamdullah's use of abusive language against female analyst and rights activist Marvi Sirmed during a TV show echoed here in the National Assembly on Saturday.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief's whip Shireen Mazari, against whom Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently used unparliamentary language, raised the issue on a point of order.
"I want to register my protest over what the JUI-F senator did with Marvi Sarmad," Mazari said.
Hamdullah misbehaved with Sirmed on a live television talk show, the PTI lawmaker said, adding that incidents of violence and hatred against women were rapidly increasing in society.
Mazari was of the view that lawmaking bodies should take notice of the such incidents and should take steps to stop them from happening in the future.
The show aired on private television channel NewsOne was debating recent 'honour' killings in Pakistan when JUI-F Senator Hafiz Hamdullah got angry over Sirmed. He objected to what he called her support for the comments of Barrister Masroor, another panelist on the programme, on a lack of reaction from the Council Of Islamic Ideology on recent 'honour' killings in the country.
Hamdullah was of the view that Barrister Masroor should not have used the words 'pee ke soey hue hain' (sleeping after getting intoxicated) for the CII chairman and his fellow JUI-F member Maulana Sherani.
The argument between Hamdullah and Sirmed resulted in an exchange of hot words between the rights activist and the lawmaker. Sirmed said the JUI-F lawmaker also attempted to physically attack her.
Extending her support to Sirmed, Mazari said girls were being killed in the name of 'honour' across the country.
PPP lawmaker Nafeesa Shah also expressed sorrow over three recent incidents in which as many girls were burnt alive in the name of honour within a month's time.
"Why is this house quiet on the situation? I demand that this house should adopt a resolution to curb such crimes," Shah said.
She said the Parliament should make necessary legislation to stem the rise of so-called honour crimes.
"Unfortunately, there is a law of jungle in the country. But the House should not let the deaths of these three girls go in vain."
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also expressed disappointment over the criminal acts against women, adding that women were very important members of the country and enjoyed great honour in society.
He agreed to the suggestion that the House should play an active and diligent role in order to fight crimes against women.
