Mazari refused to accept Asif’s apology
LAHORE: Federal Minister Khawaja Asif’s verbal assault on Shireen Mazari of the PTI highlights the sheer absence of any basic manners. Whatever happened to self-discipline? That is certainly a valid question to ask of any man who insults a woman. Asif’s derogatory remarks about Mazari’s appearance and the tone of voice reinforce the generalisation that some individuals are incapable of discipline altogether. Even worse, Asif has ensured that when he remarked provocatively about the fellow female parliamentarian, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq did not act in a neutral capacity, which is required of his role, and did not check or reprimand the rude onslaught. The minister has issued a letter of apology to the National Assembly speaker stating in a speech that he felt compelled to make the remarks. He has stated that it was not his intention to ruin decorum; however, he was compelled to pass the nasty remarks since he was not being allowed to complete his speech. This is a lame excuse. How does he even expect for an apology like this to be accepted? A written, unconditional apology that does not even address Mazari directly is not sufficient to make amends for the inappropriate behaviour.
Mazari refused to accept Asif’s apology and rightly stated that the apology should be addressed to her since his remarks were targeted at her. However, the defence minister has an inflated ego and refused to name Mazari in his apology. Sexism is simply unacceptable. You cannot continuously insult a colleague on the basis of his or her appearance, voice or gender. It is not just an insult of that one person but an insult of the entire assembly. As women, female parliamentarians have the right to feel insulted. I expect the women’s caucus to condemn such behaviour. The speaker should order Asif to retract his statement and apologise.
Sayyida Salma Tahir
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2016.
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