Mainstream political parties and misogyny

The many times mainstream parties have indulged in misogyny

KARACHI: There have been multiple incidents when leaders of mainstream political parties have made misogynist remarks in the past and disrespected women without any considerable consequence.



Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

December 2012

PTI chief Imran Khan received scathing criticism from women parliamentarians belonging to both sides of the political aisle in the Lower House over his remarks on women elected on reserved seats not representing their constituencies.

The MNAs from both the opposition and treasury benches demanded a privilege motion against Khan for “disrespecting the house”.

November 2014

During the 2014 protest in Islamabad, Imran lashed out against former Supreme Court Bar Association president Asma Jahangir over her criticism of the months-long sit-in.

“Asma said that women attend the PTI sit-in to dance when she herself dances on her visits to India. I think she has become friends with the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) chief,” he told the crowd. “Asma speaks with the permission of the United States.”

2013- present

Despite Shireen Mazari’s seniority in PTI, her daughter Imaan Hazir Mazari regularly crosses swords with the party’s social media team due to her criticism of the Imran-Khan led party.

Legal notice served to Brig. Tariq Izaz for his false & vicious propaganda intended to malign me.

Will not tolerate these personal attacks, nor will i stop speaking up for what i believe in. pic.twitter.com/SUr3kZ0xhZ

— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) December 21, 2017

From leaking of personal photos to abusive statements, Imaan has faced it all.

And this is a message for all those who think it is acceptable to mock and ridicule people for being free enough to live exactly how they want without conforming to society's twisted conceptions of gender. pic.twitter.com/rKhUsrl8ju

— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) April 28, 2018

 

July 2018

PTI member and former Junoon lead bassist Salman Ahmed, an avid opponent of all political parties barring PTI, has often directed misogynistic statements at leaders and supporters of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), PPP and others.

SCREENGRABS

 

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz

June 2016:

Former foreign minister Khawaja Asif made disparaging remarks about the appearance and voice of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari during a national assembly session.

He referred to her as a “tractor trolley” before asking her to keep quiet and not talk in a manly voice.

There is silver lining for IK, Tractor trolly & newly acquired dumper can b used for hauling political garbage..no additional effort/expense

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) June 12, 2017

March 2017

PML-N leader Javed Latif passed sexist remarks about PTI leader Murad Saeed’s sisters. He implied they were involved with PTI Chief Imran Khan.

“People say he (Murad) has two younger sisters who are involved with Imran Khan and often pay a visit to him.”

This is what MNA Javeed Latif said about @MuradSaeedPTI - anybody would slap him for this! pic.twitter.com/XPYevgZgKo

— Adeel Raja (@adeelraja) March 9, 2017

April 2017

Deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif criticised women for participating in a PTI rally. He implied political rallies are no place for women.

Nawaz Sharif victimises and abuses PTI women the same Nawaz Sharif, misogynist and woman attacker to the core even 30 years on #PMLNExposed pic.twitter.com/bNbIhJo5uC

— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 29, 2017

April 2018

Former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah made inappropriate comments about women attending a PTI rally.

“The women who attended the rally were not from honourable families because their dance moves implied where they had actually come from,” he said.

Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP)

January 2017:

In January 2017, former MPA of Sindh Imdad Ali Pitafi passed sexist remarks in response to question asked by former MPA Nusrat Sehar Abbasi. Pitafi called her “drama queen” and told her to “please come to my chamber” to settle her queries.

April 2017:

In April 2017, the former speaker of the national assembly, Ayaz Sadiq asked women to remain silent during assembly proceedings. In response, the former leader of the opposition, Khursheed Shah asked the speaker, “not to restrain women from talking or else they will fall ill.” Shah added that “in doing so, will cause trouble for men at home.”