ISLAMABAD: A former provincial minister along with four other persons was booked on the charge of assaulting the widow of an ex-MNA at Balochistan House, the capital police said on Thursday.

The Secretariat police registered the case in response to a complaint lodged by Zahida Atta Qureshi, widow of ex-PPP MNA Mian Atta Qureshi, against former Balochistan minister Haji Toor Khan and others.

The case was registered under section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 452 (house trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

According to the FIR, Ms Qureshi, a member of the PPP Council Punjab, along with her son was residing in a room at Balochistan House. Five persons raided the room and one of them was later identified as former provincial minister Haji Toor Khan. They allegedly harassed the woman besides misbehaving with her son.

The suspects also slapped the complainant’s son Yasir Atta Qureshi and threatened him with dire consequences after he tried to intercept them, the FIR said. The suspects also tore the dupatta of the complainant.

The FIR said the condition of the complainant deteriorated as she was a heart patient. The suspects also snatched an inhaler from her and threw away her medicines.

The complainant sought action against the nominated persons.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2023