Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif came forward with an explanation for his outburst against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Shireen Mazari in National Assembly on Wednesday.

He said, “Shireen Mazari was badgering me again and again”. He further said, “I am ashamed for using inappropriate language to address her”. National Assembly Speaker Sarda Ayaz Sadiq also said that Khawaja Asif will himself give an explanation today for his behaviour.

Khawaja Asif has apologised to Shireen Mazari and has said that he did not mean to use the words “tractor, trolley”.

Shireen however refuses to accept his apology unless he “apologises to her on the floor of the Assembly”. Speaking to Daily Times, she said, “It seems as if Khawaja Asif comes into the National Assembly with only one motive these days and that is to target PTI.” However the party will not keep quiet, she added. “Being a minister, he should know how to speak to women, but sadly he doesn’t. I choose to ignore such people,” she said.

Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) leader Nafeesa Shah said “sexism is unacceptable”. She added, “If you continuously insult any colleague on the basis of their appearance, voice or gender, it is not just an insult of that one person but an insult of the entire assembly. As women, we felt insulted. He may not have taken her name, but he made clear references towards Shireen Mazari”. She said, “He has not just hurt her. As a woman I felt hurt and all our male colleagues are with us.”

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Asif’s written apology will not be accepted by any women lawmakers, adding that he must “reconsider his behaviour”. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Abdul Waseem also rejected the apology.