 Members of the NWFP Assembly on Monday expressed their anger at the remarks of a Lahore High Court judge who "abused the Pakhtun nation" and demanded that suo moto action be taken against the judge. In an adjournment motion, Bashir Bilour, ANP's member of provincial assembly, read out a newspaper report dated October 22, 2004 in which a judge of the Lahore High Court Multan Bench had passed remarks against the Pakhtun people. Mr Bilour said the judge had remarked that since the accused was a Pakhtun "he must be a smuggler".
| Well, that's a pretty definitive statement. I mean, the guy could also be a gunny, or a snuffy, or a strong-arm boy, or a just a guy who happens to own eighteen rocket launchers... |
| I believe the proper term is "enthusiast." |
"The judge has abused the entire Pakhtun nation. I protest his remarks," said the ANP leader. Mr Bilour suggested that a resolution be passed against the judge, which should then be sent to the federal government. Ikramullah Shahid, NWFP Assembly deputy speaker, demanded the Supreme Court take suo motu action against the judge because he had insulted the Pakhtun nation. Farid Khan of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) demanded the judge apologise for his remarks in the press. Muhammad Ayaz Khan, NWFP law minister, assured the members of the house that he would investigate the issue. Bashir Bilour's adjournment motion was put aside for 10 days. |