MP Enamul Haque rants against Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury over news

After Awami League MP AKM Shamim Osman, another party MP has vented his anger at Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, the Daily Observer Editor and the Media Adviser to the Prime Minister.

Enamul Haque's anger came in response to a news published in the daily.

Based on his demand, the speaker has sent the matter to be examined by a parliamentary standing committee.

Headlined, "Police await PM's order to crack down on drug lords", the report names several MPs as being involved in illegal drug trade.

The report, which also carries MPs Shamim and Enamul's name, says police are waiting for the prime minister's approval as several 'big fish' are involved in the drug trade.

Lashing out at the editor for the news piece that Enamul claimed was 'baseless', he said it had demeaned the status of the MPs.

He even moved a notice under Rule 166 of the parliamentary rules of business after the question-answer session.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury admitted the demand as per rule 168 and conducted a vote on the issue.

When the motion was passed unanimously by a voice vote, she sent it to the Standing Committee on Special Powers and Privileges.

The prime minister and the speaker are part of the committee.

A day ago, MP Shamim also came down heavily on Iqbal Sobhan for the news.

He raised questions on the journalist's political stand, pointing out that he had been in favour of returning of citizenship to late Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam.

He even went on to claim that 'they' would resign if the veracity of the news was proved.

Shamim also said he has sent out legal notices and will initiate legal proceedings against the publication.