In what appears to be a shut-up call to its rival political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has warned Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman that it will stage countrywide protests if he does not stop issuing statements against women participating in its long-running sit-in.
“This is the final warning to the JUI-F chief to stop issuing statements against the PTI women otherwise we would besiege him and hold rallies to expose his corruption,” said the party’s information secretary Dr Shireen Mazari on behalf of the party’s women’s wing.
The PTI and the JUI-F have emerged as political opponents in the last few years. However, the recent war of words between them started after Fazl termed the PTI sit-in and rallies as ‘mujras’ and raised objection to women’s participation and dance and music in the sit-in.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Dr Mazari also questioned as to why women lawmakers were tightlipped on Fazl’s statements against women. “I ask women members of the assembly as to why they are silent and have not protested against Maulana Fazl?” she questioned.
“They [women MPs] do not have the right to sit in parliament if they cannot defend the dignity and respect of women,” she added.
Dr Mazari also censured the NGOs working for women rights for not responding to the JUI-F chief’s remarks against the participants of the PTI sit-in.
“Some self-proclaimed defenders of women rights find it commendable to dance before Indian RSS leaders and along the Pakistan-Indian border but find the act of women, listening to Sufi music and national taranas at the PTI Azadi Chowk dharna, as indecent,” she added.
Mazari termed the JUI-F chief’s statements as ‘uncivil’ and said that Maulana Fazl should be aware of the fact that 51% population of the country comprises women.
Talking about the PTI government’s initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Mazari said the PTI had proven its commitment to women rights by taking policy initiatives in the K-P to expand the education of girls.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2014.
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PTI should reject JUI statement if this is wrong, but the fact of matter is Women and girls have been made to dance infront of other men and specially EMedia and whole of the world is witness, how can PTI deny the fact?