Asks MNA Iqbal Afridi to explain alleged wrongdoing within seven days or face disciplinary action
PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi. PHOTO: FILE
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday issued a show cause notice to member of the National Assembly Iqbal Afridi for what it described as repeated violations of party discipline and asked him to submit a written explanation within seven days.
According to the executive order, a copy of which is included Express PakinomistAfridi has been asked to explain his position regarding a series of allegations against him.
The notice, issued by PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, accused Afridi of “routinely misbehaving with the party’s MNAs”, alleging that such incidents had “at times been caught on camera and streamed on TV news and social media”. It further alleged that he had used “derogatory language and lewd remarks” against other lawmakers.
Read: NA suspends PTI lawmaker for misconduct
The notice also claimed that Afridi had “routinely gone against parliamentary party decisions during National Assembly proceedings”.
In another allegation, the party alleged that his “derogatory behavior has not only been directed at the party’s MNAs but also at junior and senior staff in the National Assembly”.
Citing an incident outside the Adiala jail, the release claimed that on 23 June, Afridi had “planned an assault on party MNAs” and that one of his accomplices assaulted several legislators.
“You were personally involved in the assault. Party members gathered in Adiala for Imran Khan’s cause; your action directly sabotaged this,” the statement said.
The PTI further claimed that Afridi’s “actions and conduct” had “brought the party into public disrepute” and constituted “serious misconduct, indiscipline and conduct prejudicial to party discipline and unity”.
In the notice, Afridi was asked to explain why his basic membership should not be terminated and why he should not be expelled from the party.
“You are requested to submit your written response within seven days of receipt of this notice. Failure to respond may result in further proceedings in accordance with the party’s constitution,” the notice concluded.
The party warned that failure to respond within the stipulated time could lead to further disciplinary proceedings, including cancellation of his basic membership and expulsion from the PTI.
Earlier, sources revealed that the decision to issue a show cause notice was taken during a PTI parliamentary party meeting where the members discussed Afridi’s behavior and his recent spats with party colleagues.
Afridi had a spat with PTI leader Junaid Akbar during the previous parliamentary session. He was also involved in an altercation with MNA Sibghatullah outside Adiala Jail.
