ISLAMABAD: In a joint session of Parliament, women from the opposition PTI protested against Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for using sexist and derogatory remarks towards them. Women politicians continue to face offensive language directed at them, as evidenced by this latest incident.
Various parliamentarians criticized the remarks, prompting a response. PTI Senator Ali Zafar had expressed concern about the way legislation was being handled in Parliament, which he perceived as being “bulldozed.”
During his address, Khawaja Asif referenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure. He recalled incidents of legislation being pushed through and the dissolution of the National Assembly.
He stated, “Depraved women should not lecture on chastity.” In response to criticism from parliamentarians, including PTI Senator Ali Zafar, about the handling of legislation, Asif commented that they would use the “woman card” against him.
He further referred to the women parliamentarians as the “remains” and “ruins” of Imran Khan, pointing to PTI members on the benches. He called them “garbage” left behind by the PTI chief, saying it needed cleaning.
The PTI women parliamentarians protested, demanding that Asif take his words back. However, there was no strong condemnation from other members during the session. The NA speaker called for order and expunged the word “garbage” from Asif’s speech.
Senator Taimur later spoke about the language used by senior political figures, expressing shock and sadness over such remarks. PTI’s Farrukh Habib questioned why other women MNAs, including PPP’s Sherry Rehman, remained silent at Asif’s remarks.
Other instances of Khawaja Asif insulting women
The PTI condemned the remarks as “absolutely shameful” and accused Asif of attempting to “depoliticize women.” This is not the first instance of Asif using insulting terms for women. He had made offensive remarks against PTI MNA Shireen Mazari in 2016. He also referred to Firdous Ashiq Awan as the PTI’s “newly acquired dumper” in 2017.
