A woman lawmaker in the Punjab Assembly, Rahila Khadim Hussain, has accused four fellow members of harassment in the workplace. Hussain, a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), submitted a formal complaint to Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan, marking the first time a woman lawmaker has lodged such a complaint against her colleagues in the assembly.
Hussain alleges that during assembly sessions, the accused opposition members used vulgar language and inappropriate gestures, creating a hostile work environment. She described their behavior as intolerable and called for action to address this harassment. Hussain emphasized the need to take stern measures to prevent future instances of harassment in the workplace.
In her complaint, Hussain demanded that the four opposition members be held accountable for their actions. She is seeking disciplinary measures to stop such behavior, which she believes is detrimental to the integrity of the assembly. Her call for action underscores the growing awareness and intolerance of harassment in Pakistan’s political arena.
The incident comes shortly after Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan suspended 26 PTI lawmakers for causing disruptions during the June 27 budget session. Khan had warned of further actions and indicated that he would file a reference against those lawmakers with the Election Commission of Pakistan. However, reports later suggested that negotiations led to the reinstatement of these members.
During the talks, Speaker Malik expressed hope that the disorder and shouting would come to an end, stressing the importance of upholding the dignity of the House. The speaker’s comments reflect a growing commitment to ensuring that the assembly functions in a respectful and orderly manner.
The issue of harassment within political spaces is gaining more attention, as leaders like Rahila Khadim Hussain demand accountability and a more respectful workplace for all lawmakers.
In other news, 26 opposition MPAs were suspended following their protest against CM Maryam Nawaz
