LAHORE: Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar has chided the prime minister and chief minister for unleashing `fascism` against women for the past two years and still attending events to celebrate the International Women`s Day.

In a video message released on Saturday, Mr Bhachar asked the chief minister, `your police were dragging and harassing women while desecrating the sanctity of four walls of homes.

He asked wasn`t Bushra Bibi a woman, against whom this `fake` government instituted a fake Iddat case.

Mr Bhachar said cancer survivor Dr Yasmin Rashid was languishing in jail and still CM Maryam Nawaz had the guts to say she was standing with the women. He said the Punjab government`s own reports submitted before the court explained that a woman was being raped every 30 minutes in the province.

The PTI leader also said the chief minister had declared women as red line but this red line had already been crossed.

`You have desecrated the sanctity of women belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf during the past two years,` Mr Bhachar questioned the chief minister.

Meanwhile, PTI Punjab chief organiser Aliya Hamza Malik said the March 8 International Women`s Day was a symbol of truth and courage and she paid tribute to all the courageous and indomitable women who did not hesitate to make any sacrifice in the cause of truth and justice.

`We are proud of Bushra Bibi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, Noreen Khan Apa and other women who stood up for democracy, the rule of law and the rights of women who were tried to suppress through the brutal use of force, she said.

In her message posted on her X account, she said the several PTI women did not bow down despite shelling, arrests and violence. She said the March 8 reminded that the struggle for truth and justice was never easy.

`When the dark night of oppression descends, only then are those who light the candle of truth, get recognised,` she said.

`We stood firm then and we stand firm today. We stand not for any personal interest or short-term politics, but for a free, sovereign and just Pakistan. We are the daughters of Pakistan, we are not weak, we are the epitome of determination and perseverance,` she asserted.

Ms Malik said this fight was not for any one party, but for every mother, sister and daughter who wanted a secure future for their children. `This is the struggle of all women who stand up against oppression, whether in politics, education, or any field, she said and assured all the brave mothers, sisters and daughters of Pakistan that they were not alone.

She said the PTI`s every step was towards realising the dream, where Pakistan truly becomes a welfare state, where women get their rightful place and where the law was equal for all.

`We supported the truth yesterday, we are on the same path today, and will always be,` she said.