The former minister had delivered a speech on the floor of the assembly during which he was interrupted by Zartaj Gul as she pinpointed the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) case in which Cheema’s son was one of the prime accused.
In 2023, police had arrested IUB officials on drug charges for possessing crystal meth, along with “objectionable” videos and images of IUB students and staff members while Tariq Basheer had denied involvement of his son in the scam.
As Zartaj Gul's remarks angered him, Cheema went to her seat and was seen whispering something in her ear.
As a result, PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council lawmakers subsequently gathered at National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s chamber to register their protest. They alleged that Cheema had used very objectionable and abusive language and demanded action against him.
On protest, Cheema tendered an 'unconditional' apology. Gul also accepted the apology.
Addressing a press conference later Gul said: “Tariq Bashir Cheema came to me and tendered an unconditional apology,” she added that everyone guided her that now that Cheema had come to her and she should let the matter go.
On the occasion, Barrister Gohar said all parties were united in saying it was necessary that such incidents did not happen.
He added, “The speaker intervened and it was finally resolved that Tariq Bashir Cheema along with his delegation offered an unconditional apology which was subsequently accepted.”
She thanked all lawmakers and MNAs for helping her on the issue. She said, “I would like to thank PML-N, PPP, MQM-P (Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan), JUI-F and all other independent candidates, even IPP (Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party). I would like to thank everyone because this incident should not have happened.
She said the NA speaker intervened in the matter himself.
She maintained, “I am a woman […] and that is not my weakness. My identity as a woman is my strength, therefore, no one has the right to misbehave with me just because they think that Zartaj Gul or any other woman in the assembly is weak.”
