Must side with feminists after the Minar-e-Pakistan incident: Khalilur Rehman Qamar

While the playwright has often spilled hate for feminists, seems like he had a change of heart after recent incidents

One of the country's most celebrated playwrights Khalilur Rehman Qamar has always been on the wrong end of an argument. The writer has openly often criticised, insulted and called women and feminists derogatory names. Previously, Qamar has also alleged that women in Pakistan “have proper rights are free." The writer had also gone on to abuse organisers of Aurat March and the women's rights forum.

However, seems like he recently had a change of heart post the recent Minar-e-Pakistan incident and said whatever the feminists stood up for is right.

Now, speaking to a local news channel, the Meray Paas Tum Ho writer shared, "I don't know what to say, and how to respond to the Minar-e-Pakistan incident. I am trying to understand the mentality of those 400 men. These men do not understand how they have shamed this country, how they took away her honour. Who are their parents, what's sort of an upbringing is this that you think you can do this to someone's daughter."

He went on to comment, "This isn't the government's incompetence, it is the shamelessness of men. The Greater Iqbal Park is a public area, it's a family place. I refuse to accept that the girl was alone there. There should have been more people present there and a heavy police force on a day like August 14. Where were they? This horrific incident has failed us as a society."

The Punjab Nahi Jaungi screenwriter added, "I was reading comments of few incels who thought that she could have avoided the harassment had she not gone there [Minar-e-Pakistan] at all. Then you are supporting the narratives of feminists where they tell us that women aren't safe in the country. Today, I'm inclined to think they are correct. I should concur that in our country a woman's honour isn't protected. This isn't an isolated incident." He opined that there could be no justification for the heinous act.

Earlier, Qamar has also labelled himself “the biggest feminist,” – a claim that received much trolling – since he went on to blatantly oppose everything the movement stood for. His problematic takes are far too often dubbed “hungry attempts for headlines.” Nevertheless, here’s hoping his recent change of heart influences his followers for the good.

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