E-Paper | October 20, 2026

PML-N suspends female MPA over bus hostess row

Dawn.com Published June 19, 2013

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday suspended the party membership of a female provincial lawmaker over a recent altercation with the hostess of a local bus service.

A passenger bus of a local company was on its way from Murree to Lahore when PML-N MPA Nighat Sheikh allegedly manhandled the hostess of the bus service following a quarrel with her on Motorway II at Bhera Terminal on Sunday.

The PML-N, which is the ruling party in the National Assembly, also issued a show-cause notice, seeking a reply from the provincial lawmaker over the incident.

Taking notice of the incident Punjab's Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had directed the IGP to conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident.

Initially the Bhera police in an attempt to appease the ruling party’s woman legislator quickly registered a case against the hostess, but later the case against her was discharged and the police was directed to submit a report after conducting investigation on merit, on the instructions of the chief minister.

Nighat was nominated as an MPA on a reserved seat for women after the recently held General elections of 2013.

Pakistan

Punjab govt to ban 'spying objects' equipped with hidden cameras, recording devices

Traffic accident on Multan’s Bosan Road kills 5 men in their 20s

Climate-smart farming for rice growers to reduce water use discussed in Gujranwala consultation

Fwad Ahmed

Jun 19, 2013 07:45pm

Shahbaz sharif zindabad shahbaz sharif jeevay jeevay!!! may Allah bless you!!!!aameen

Recommend 0

asif

Jun 19, 2013 08:48pm

why aren't there legal proceeding against the MPA? she should be arrested for assault and produced before a judge.

Recommend 0

Jun 19, 2013 09:06pm

Our rulers will always be jaahil and uneducated illiterate barbarians.

Recommend 0

Tariq Mehsud

Jun 19, 2013 09:15pm

It is pretty unfortunate even in the buses people react like they are on a chartered flight I am sure not even on a chartered flight one would dare such an act of lowest level but many of these people still to be tamed she has been elected on a reserved seat what if she was elected on a contested one instead of suspending her she must have been remanded and would have been whisked to jail for an indefinite period.

Recommend 0

Razi Ghazali

Jun 19, 2013 09:18pm

Excellent decision. It would be better the MPA is sacked. It will pass on a strong message to others to behave.

Recommend 0

Ayesha Khan

Jun 19, 2013 09:25pm

Very bold and encouraging step by Mr Shabaz Shareef, it builds confidence in the massess. No body should be above the law. Few more incidents like these will certainly build the morals of the common person. When the authorities take prompt, and immediete action, it brings a sense of security, and leaves a very positive impact. Our hopes, and dreams are dependent on the newly elected regime, and we anticipate that we will see Pakistan emerging on the globe as a prosperous nation. InshAllah---

Recommend 0

Khalid

Jun 19, 2013 10:42pm

What a shame that police registered a case against the poor hostess just to please the MPA and her party. I hope a case will now be registered aginst the MPA and the police officer who registered the criminals will be punished for the crimes they have committed and also perverting the course of justice.

Recommend 0

Ilyas

Jun 20, 2013 12:06am

Small step in the right direction.

Recommend 0

Sarwat Hasan

Jun 20, 2013 12:33am

Ms. Sheikh should be prosecuted to the fullest. She should be made an example out of.

Recommend 0

Saeed

Jun 20, 2013 12:42am

Well done Mian sahib, continue like this and you just might redeem yourselves.

Recommend 0

zia khan

Jun 20, 2013 12:59am

Well done Shahbaz! So far so good but It should not be a hush hush in the end. Nighat Sheik is not a provincial lawmaker but a provincial lawbreaker. She is in the parliament not on her own but as a favor and responsibility lies on PML-N leadership to kick her out of parliament. She thought beating helpless and poor bus hostess was one of her fringe benefits. An elected member will never act like her. Shahbaz should also take note of improper police conduct.

Recommend 0

gee

Jun 20, 2013 05:07am

That is the first disciplinary action of its kind in Indian Sub-Continent i.e. Pakistan, Bangladesh, India; arrogance of public figures is well known and despicable. If MPA is proven guilty on investigated she must be chucked out forthwith to set up a president.

Recommend 0

Burki

Jun 20, 2013 05:15am

good for some PR browny points. Whatever happened to the case against his own daughter & son in law when their cronies roughed up that hapless poor boy at the bakery in Lahore? Shabaz "Sharif" would you ask police to investigate that case too or is too close to the comfort? typical hypocricy of these shameless sellout politicians.

Recommend 0

Nasiroski

Jun 20, 2013 06:02am

This is a eye-wash, this MNA needs to be fired for abuse of power, What this woman (MNA) did was no different from what Shahbaz Sharif's daughter so why would you expect justice from a family that beats and break bones of poor kids when they refuse to follow orders of the members of their family (open Bakery when it is closed for business).

Recommend 0

jojo

Jun 20, 2013 06:31am

Right step in right direction. These people need to understand that they are servant of the nation not the other way around. Why not giving them some classes on this topic. This MPA should be made an example. thank you Mian Sahib.

Recommend 0

Siddique Malik

Jun 20, 2013 06:58am

It's horrible that some legislators, ministers and other officials talk down to hard-working employees at businesses and organizations. These arrogant individuals must be confronted every time they indulge in their nefarious behavior. I am glad the party took action against the MPA involved in this episode. Manhandling someone is a criminal act. This MPA should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law. If convicted, the party should bar her forever. Nobody with criminal record should serve as a legislator. Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

Recommend 0

akram

Jun 21, 2013 12:05am

this is the ugly face of the old Pakistan, nepotism, rule of the elite. Shahbaz has been correct in making sure the investigation is impartial. If found guilty this MPA should be booted out of the assembly, and banned from public office for 25 years. the danger for PML-N is that these people undermine the new face they want to show the country.

Recommend 0

babar

Jun 21, 2013 02:34am

only suspended! what a joke. There is a word 'FIRE' for these kind of people. Frequent use of this word in govt. departments will help eliminating corruption.

Recommend 0

zed

Jun 21, 2013 03:06pm

Well done. Please keep it up and don't stop at reserved seat MPA only.

Recommend 0

zed

Jun 21, 2013 03:09pm

It is interesting to note that the police had already taken action against the hostess of the bus. In 99% of cases, it is always the weak and poor who suffers from our Police. My respected Chief Minister, any plan to take action against the police action?

Recommend 0

zab

Jun 22, 2013 06:16am

Bus hostess only told her that you have to pay increased fair due to hike in fuel prices.............. rest is history.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

PARCO Gunvor Limited becomes the first OMC in Pakistan to win a Blue Dragon for Best Campaign of Pakistan at Dragons of Asia 2026

SplitTheTimeTax campaign under Bangles of Strength platform has earn a Blue Dragon for Best Campaign of Pakistan and Gold in the Small Budget Category

Chery Master offers Rs850,000 in upfront savings on Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid

Limited stock price lock offer with a complimentary 7 kW Home Charger worth Rs100,000.

The IPO Pakistan has not seen yet

ABHI Microfinance Bank holds a microfinance banking license in Pakistan, branch and branchless, run with the speed and discipline of a technology company rather than a traditional branch network.