Bakhtawar blasts PDM for ‘banning women’ from attending rallies

PPP leader Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari has lashed out at the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a joint opposition alliance, for “banning women” from attending its rally in Karachi on Sunday.

“PDM banning women from attending jalsas is pathetic. 50% of our population is women. Social & political space shrinking - decisions like this reiterate a cultural mindset predating Islam. Must be corrected. Our religion gave women rights & will not have ignorance take them away,” she said in a tweet on Saturday.

The reaction comes after several media reports claim that the PDM has barred women party activists from attending the anti-government rally.

Express News quoted JUI-F leader Rashid Soomro as saying that his part is not against women participation in politics but the decision has been taken in view of the ‘Covid-19 pandemic’.

Also read: PPP welcomes PDM in Karachi: Bilawal

However, later speaking to media in Karachi the JUI-F chief flanked by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif rejected the reports.

“There is no truth to such reports... women will attend tomorrow’s rally and they will be provided full protection and treated with respect,” JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said.

In the same presser, Fazl accused the PPP of "stabbing the opposition alliance in back" and termed its separation from the alliance as a non-issue.

He said that the PDM movement’s prime objective is to get rid of Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government.

Earlier this week, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari welcomed the decision of the PDM to begin its political activities in Karachi after the opposition alliance announced anti-government public meetings and rallies around the country.

Bilawal had said that his party had informed the PDM leaders about the constitutional way of doing things, therefore, they have the right to organise rallies.