Ayesha Gulalai, a parliamentarian from the Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Tuesday announced her resignation, accusing party chief Imran Khan of sending “lewd text messages” to her and other women members. Calling Mr. Khan and his ‘gang’ characterless, she said honour of women is not safe in the party.
“Imran Khan has sent first lewd message to me in October 2013. He does it through his Blackberry. His Blackberry should be checked. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority can testify to my claims if his Blackberry is confiscated,” she told a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday night.
Ms. Gulalai, a young member of the National Assembly from the conservative Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), was once an ardent and vocal supporter of the PTI.
Earlier in the day, she had told newsmen that the kind of culture some in the PTI are trying to promote is not in line with Pakhtoon cultural values.
Other women parliamentarians quickly reacted to her allegations. “MNA Ayesha Gulalai’s rebuke adds to the disquiet about a woman’s place in the party,” Sherry Rehman, Senator from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), tweeted. However, there was no word from Mr. Khan.
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto said that the allegations were serious and should be investigated. He added that the PPP will never compromise over the safety and dignity of women.
