CJP expresses regret over 'sexist' comment

He had used Churchill's quote comparing quality of a speech to length of a woman's skirt

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has expressed regret over his use of a controversial statement, comparing the quality of a speech to the length of a woman’s skirt during a judicial conference in Lahore last week.

While hearing a case pertaining to a tax matter on Wednesday, the top judge said his comments had been turned into a controversy on social media. However, he added that he regretted if his comments had hurt some people.

During the controversial speech last week, Justice Nisar had quoted Sir Winston Churchill, the late prime minister of the United Kingdom, who said: “A good speech should be like a woman’s skirt: long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.”

Shortly after the conference, a video of Justice Nisar’s speech vent viral on social media, where users took strong exceptions to what they called ‘sexist’ comments of the top judge.

The Women’s Action Forum (WAF) had issued a statement to protest the comments.

“It is disappointing to hear the highest judicial authority in our country using women’s bodies to illustrate a point about public speaking in this manner,” the statement said.

“It is especially a setback for women lawyers who practice in a male-dominated profession, as such statements cause alienation and marginalisation of women in the legal field.

“Given the global conversation today about the impact of discrimination on women’s lives, ranging from casual sexism in the workplace to sexual assault, the statement is particularly tone-deaf, tasteless, and unbecoming of the Chief Justice of any country,” it added.