Pakistan

Jemima Goldsmith hits out at PM Imran over 'insensitive' views on rape

Former wife of PM Khan says the Imran I knew used to say 'put the veil on man's eyes, not on the woman'

News Desk April 07, 2021

Imran Khan with ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith. PHOTO: FILE

Jemima Goldsmith, former wife of Prime Minister Imran Khan, criticised him after he blamed women for their "inappropriate" dress for a rise in sexual harassment and rape cases during a question and answer session with the public on Sunday.

During the session, a caller asked the premier what his government is doing about rising sexual violence particularly against children.

PM Imran, in his response, blamed fahashi (vulgarity) as the root cause of the surge in rape cases and sexual violence in Pakistan.

Soon after his comments, there was an uproar on social media. Many called out the prime minister for his 'insensitive' remarks.

Taking to Twitter, Jemima said that she was hoping that the remarks were "misquotation" or "mistranslation".

"The Imran I knew used to say, 'Put a veil on the man's eyes not on the woman.'," she added.

I'm hoping this is a misquote/ mistranslation. The Imran I knew used to say, "Put a veil on the man's eyes not on the woman." https://t.co/NekU0QklnL
— Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) April 7, 2021

In another tweet, the former first lady also quoted a verse from the Holy Quran,saying: "The onus is on men."

“Say to the believing men that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts." Quran 24:31

The onus is on men. https://t.co/StkKE3HIPM
— Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) April 7, 2021

Here are some of the the public outrages:

Shock & outrage as Imran Khan links 'vulgarity' with rise in rape & sexual violence..
PrimeMinister seems to blame women & how they dress instead of violent male behaviour who he said "cannot keep their willpower in check"
No word on law enforcement... https://t.co/5e9c2E7hjg
— Saima Mohsin (@SaimaMohsin) April 5, 2021

Utterly disappointed but not the least bit surprised at the archaic stance IK took on rape. It’s hard enough being a woman in this country, we’ve seen how easily the victim is blamed and your PM just validated this backward thinking men have. We honestly deserve better than this.
— Hadeel Obaid (@hadouken51) April 6, 2021

Ok so apparently @ImranKhanPTI once again shared his problematic take on reasons behind sexual violence against women & children. This is why I don’t even try listening to him now. Hats off to you all who actually still think he will learn & change his stance
— W.H (@waj_huss) April 4, 2021

R*pe is NOT a crime of lust or pleasure. It is a crime of POWER. It is abt violence, control & the need to dominate 'lesser' being.

Abt time IK understands this, stop blaming fahashi for everything & instead focus on education & guaranteed accountability to deal with this issue.
— - (@daikhajayega) April 4, 2021

I haven't yet listen to Hon PM take on what cause rape but I do want to ask what kind of a fahashi minor girls and at times minor boys commit that attract rapists ? https://t.co/1EDBIQRN6L
— Umer (@UmerNazeef) April 4, 2021

Strongly condemn @ImranKhanPTI’s recent views on rape culture.
It’s scary that our PM would have such cringeworthy opinions on such a matter. I really hope he redeems himself.
— Rubya Chaudhry (@RubyaChaudhry) April 6, 2021

Mr Imran Khan, listen to criminologists, forensic psychologists and researchers to learn and understand why heinous crimes like rape happen.

Rape aur abuse tou مسجد me bhi hota hai, wahan kaunsi fahashi hai? Molvi kaunsa Hollywood daikhta hai?
— The Donnie Darko (@TheDonnieDarko1) April 4, 2021

Earlier, in an interview with a local channel, PM Imran had said that there was a rapid spread of ‘indecency’ in the world.

“We have an advantage over other developed countries in the world. We have a family system that has not been touched by indecent influences. Look at Bollywood, look at the difference in their films now and those 40 years back. The indecency has grown to such exponential levels that Delhi has become the rape capital of the world,” he had commented.