LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned and expressed grief over the gang-rape of a woman on the motorway.

In a statement issued from London on Friday, the PML-N supremo said the barbarism with a “daughter of Pakistan” had ripped his heart out.

“It is a question of Pakistan’s integrity that the culprits be caught and given the worst possible punishment. This is not just a question of desecration of a woman, but that of the entire state itself. The entire system is guilty until the perpetrators of this heinous inhuman crime are caught and punished,” Mr Sharif said.

SHUJAAT: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid President Chaudhry Shujaat Husain said the incident was highly regrettable.

“Chief Minister Usman Buzdar should forget whether it comes under his powers or not and order flogging of the culprits in public once they are caught,” he said, adding that a number of committees had been formed but these would not solve the matter.

Talking to former MNAs from Sarai Alamgir, Malik Muhammad Haneef and Malik Jamil, who announced joining the PML-Q at his residence here on Friday, Mr Shujaat said that in the next local government elections, Mr Haneef would be the party’s candidate for tehsil nazim from Sarai Alamgir.

Meanwhile, former MPA and PTI ticket-holder Naveed Ashiq Dial called on Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and MNA Moonis Elahi at their residence and announced joining the PML-Q.

PML-N LAWMAKERS: PML-N lawmakers led by Shaista Pervaiz Malik called on Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani and demanded removal of Lahore police chief Umer Sheikh over his uncalled-for remarks about the gang-rape survivor.

The group of lawmakers also registered their protest over the gang rape. When they were told that the IGP was busy in meetings, they said they would not leave without meeting him.

Later, during their meeting, the women lawmakers demanded immediate removal of Mr Sheikh over his remarks about the woman who was gang-raped, and arrest of the culprits.

Ms Malik said the PML-N would raise this issue at every forum.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2020