Abbasi complains of indifference from women MPAs

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Abbasi complains of indifference from women MPAs

Dawn.com Published January 22, 2017

Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Nusrat Sehar Abbasi Sunday 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 Pitafi.

Talking on DawnNews Infocus, she said that she was grieved that her fellow female MPAs did not condemn the abuse she was facing in the assembly.

"I am waiting for the decision of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as the credit of us being 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 her.

"I can not explain what I am facing now. My political carrier is on 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 that 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 then 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.

Bilawal on Saturday directed provincial party head Nisar Khuhro to issue a show-cause notice to Pitafi and take further action if Pitafi failed to defend himself adequately in his response.

Within minutes after the issuance of Bilawal's statement, Pitafi said that he had already confessed his mistake and sought pardon on the issue. He further said that he will also say sorry 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 this regard.

Earlier, Abbasi had demanded that the PPP leadership remove Pitafi from the ministry as well as from the provincial assembly.

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Pak Patriot

Jan 22, 2017 10:46pm

The Leadership of PPP, should reprimand the two Provincial MPP's and ask the two for their resignations. As the female electorate have also elected them and have been insulted by them. Provincial minister Imdad Pitafi and PMA Taimor Talpur, you have gravely hurt the feelings of the women of Sind, be men, act like men and RESIGN.

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Khan

Jan 22, 2017 10:52pm

Carry on madam... the PPP thugs cannot silence you. Even these goons were not able to carry off the garbage from Karachi. It easy to taunt somebody.

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Muhammad

Jan 22, 2017 11:25pm

Pitafi will just say "sorry" on the floor of the assembly. The PPP goons and every one else will justify it as enough....and the cycle will continue to be repeated. Until and unless strict action is taken against those who treat women as second class citizens, world will continue to look at us a uncivilized nation.

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DAVID SUTTON

Jan 22, 2017 11:30pm

There is question of Men or Women. Most people especially the politicians ,whether men or women , see their interests.

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stranger

Jan 22, 2017 11:38pm

On the floor of the house during her often interrupted speech, she was not much bothered by the nasty MPAs. I think when she returned home, charged TV and newspapers moulded her opinion into condemning the PPP MPAs. So now she is suddenly the sensitive victim of misogyny. How artificial.

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arsHAD, Canada

Jan 22, 2017 11:57pm

I really feel sorry for what she had to go through. But, I was watching her own party members sitting behind her and did not stand up to her. And, what about the hypocrite deputy speaker Ms. Shahla Raza, what did she do? she was laughing with her fellow PPP members. What a shame. My humble advise to Ms. Abbasi is stay put and be tough and strong.

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layman

Jan 23, 2017 12:03am

Nusrat Seher Abbasi keep it up. And do not even think of leaving the assembly. The whole Sindh supports you.

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Jan 23, 2017 12:15am

I agree with her. There is no space for vaderas and feudals any more in our politics. It is NOT ok to dishonour women and it is NOT ok to treat them as third class citizens in the assembly. Just giving celebratory roles is not going to get us anywhere. We need to make them equal and we also need to make minorities equal. Any pakistani should be able to become a minister and 1973 constitution must be amended.

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Baluch

Jan 23, 2017 12:21am

Amongst one of the main attributes of a political leader is courage. And Madam N.S.Abbasi seems to have that - she will have followers if she displays such courage at the right moments.

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Aley

Jan 23, 2017 12:26am

All our support with Ms. Nusrat Sehar Abbassi the honourable MPA. Mr. Pitafi must apologise in public as well as on the floor of the house. Considering the of Kh. Asif, and other parliamentarians going scot-free after uttering such remarks, Bilawal Bhutto has set an extraordinary precedent by asking Mr. Khurro to take action against the vile remarks by Mr. Pitafi. This being said, Ms. Abbasi should at least appreciate the PPP's stance on this particular issue. Additionally, some of the women parliamentarians and provincial legislators also need to re-visit their attitudes on the floor which is at times offensive. Ms. Abbasi's conduct on the floor has always been quite aggressive and harsh and at times bordering being offensive. If the honourable legislators exhibit such behaviour they need to be ready for a retort in the same coin from the recipient.

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Alba

Jan 23, 2017 12:27am

I admire her but she should let things stand where they are. Face up to it. Women in Pakistan know that if they want to get ahead in society to keep their mouths closed. They are not living in Boston or Palo Alto. Not even Birmingham or Manchester. If Nusrat Abbati wants to be a martyr for the cause no one will stop her. Some politicians look back and say, "I lost my job because everyone was against me." Women's rights is not the cross Pakistan's other politicians want to be crucified on. Including woman politicians.

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Khilji

Jan 23, 2017 12:35am

A real dest of democracy and gender equality within PPP - all eyes on Bilawal Bhutto!

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Adeeb from Texas

Jan 23, 2017 01:06am

The men in her family must behave the same way we all know that.

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Abbasi Tribune

Jan 23, 2017 01:17am

Keeping in view the traditional values of PPP, Pitafi should be removed as a member assembly. Now he has lost the respect as a legislator by using abusive language against a women member assembly. If PPP did not take stern action against him then their claim of women empowerment will be useless. It is a time for PPP to save their image and reputation by just removing Pitafi from provincial assembly. Ley's Wait and see the practical mentality of PPP's leadership about women.

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Ramesh C Manghirmalani

Jan 23, 2017 01:44am

Minister should be removed

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Muslim

Jan 23, 2017 01:57am

What has this woman done for people? Nothing.

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AXH

Jan 23, 2017 02:00am

It shows the mentality of those men towards women who come from the feudal background because this is how they generally treat women.

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Faisal bajwa

Jan 23, 2017 02:23am

Yes he should be sacked so no one would dare to harass women and under no circumstances such behaviour should be tolerated.

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Khan USA

Jan 23, 2017 05:19am

That's true ! Surprised to see that opposition members and women members from ruling benched have shown no interest in the issue ! MQM has also showed no reaction !

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nasiroski

Jan 23, 2017 06:10am

I can't figure out why in our society, women do not stand up with the victim women on issues of common interest? As a matter of fact in a lot of cases they actually malign the victim. When is the women of East going to stand up for their rights?

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Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY

Jan 23, 2017 07:09am

How shameful that Ms.Nusrat Sehar Abbasi was verbally mistreated by Mr.Pitafi in the Provincial Sindh Assembly.It is equally outrageous that the women MPS who generally talk a lot about women's rights didn't come to Ms.Abbasi's aid. Mr.Pitafi should be thoroughly investigated for his abhorring blatant behaviour and strict immediate action should be taken against him by the PPP.

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Abdul Malik

Jan 23, 2017 07:19am

Pitafi should not only be removed from the ministry but sacked from the party. Watching this ill mannered and disgusting of a man hurling insults and passing sarcastic remarks on the lady MPA is deplorable, to say the least.

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M. Siddique

Jan 23, 2017 07:25am

Anyone who cannot maintain the decorum of the house must leave. The party should disqualify him to hold any political office from the party platform.

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Khan USA

Jan 23, 2017 09:30am

Her own party members did not raise their voice at such a humiliation !

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Asif A. Shah

Jan 23, 2017 09:25am

Keep fighting against indecency and be an inspiration for other women. Good Luck!