PDP’s Waheed Para gets 7 days to respond to ‘breach of privilege’ notice

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has given PDP legislative party leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Para seven days to respond to a “breach of privilege” notice issued over his speech in the House earlier this month.

Para, a first-time member of the legislative Assembly, is accused of breach of privilege by National Conference MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi.

“The office is in receipt of a communication from Gurezi, in which it has been stated that Waheed Ur Rehman Para, during his speech on Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address on November 8, 2024, has levelled some allegations and used derogatory remarks against him,” Qazi Mushtaq Ahmad, under-secretary in J&K legislative assembly secretariat, said in a communication to Para on Tuesday.

The letter said, accordingly, the matter was placed before the Speaker, who desired to seek comments from Para in the first instance before proceeding ahead in the matter.

Para has been asked to furnish “his comments within seven days,” and the same will be placed before the Speaker for his perusal.

Reacting to the notice, Para said it was an attempt to suppress the voice of the opposition in the Assembly. “This notice is an attempt to silence our voices. But, we will not be intimidated by such actions,” said Para, adding that he would respond to the notice soon.