Misogyny v selective criticism: Imran Khan's sexist remarks about Maryam Nawaz divide Twitter

While many condemned the former premier's comments about PML-N Vice President, others dug out latter's irksome takes

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan irked many on Friday after a clip of him taking a jibe at PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif during a rally in Multan went viral on social media. In the aforementioned clip, the PTI chairman said that she might annoy her husband the way she repeats his name during her political speeches.

"Someone sent me a clip of Maryam's speech... Maryam took my name repeatedly so passionately that she should be careful… it might annoy her husband," Khan remarked as the attendees cheered on.

Soon after his statements, many called out Khan's misogynistic comments. 

Imran Khan is reduced to mocking BB’s son and insinuating sexual references to NS’s daughter.

That’s what happens when you fail at your own family life. No proper relationship with his own children and a different wife every few years.

— Ayesha Ijaz Khan (@ayeshaijazkhan) May 20, 2022

Not cool Imran Khan. I know noonies have said and done worse but you’re Imran Khan. You’re better than them. All of this is beneath you.

— Ammar. (@Ammar_AliKhan) May 20, 2022

Imran Khans sexiest, misogynistic remarks & sexual innuendos are the making of a very very sick society. It has detrimental effects- men like him are the moral decay of our society today. How can anyone support or choose this man to lead us? It’s deeply disturbing & dangerous.

— Maheen Ghani (@maheenghani_) May 20, 2022

Imran Khan once said Men are not robots, they see a woman take their name they decide she must be into them

— Husn Hai Suhana (@Fatmounh) May 20, 2022

no matter what other parties have done, if you're comparing that to justify imran khan's comments, how tf is he the better option? its time pakis learn that democracy doesn't mean blind support. imran khan's statement is wrong, and so were pml-n's against benazir bhutto.

— zay (@hystwhoreical) May 21, 2022

I heard about the joke Imran Khan made about Maryam Nawaz Sharif and I think it did not suit Imran Khan. I was told that Imran Khan's opponents made rude remarks about his wife repeatedly. Yet Imran Khan mustn't lower himself to their level. Honour should be kept out of politics.

— Turgay Evren (@TurgayEvren1) May 20, 2022

Women in Pakistan already face an obscene degree of sexualization & innuendo whenever they enter politics. For someone with the platform of IK to insinuate a female politician desires him because she politically opposes him is tantamount to encouraging such harassment en masse. https://t.co/g1tcOiUtQ0

— Ammar Rashid (@AmmarRashidT) May 20, 2022

Khan says something misogynist.
PTI supporters: Where were you all when PML-N did the same?
PMLN leaders say something misogynist.
PMLN: IK said something even worse.

And the cycle continues. No women leader from any party are safe from such disgusting remarks in this country.

— Ali (@Bhuut_) May 20, 2022

Sometimes you can just criticize something Imran Khan said without asking everyone to criticize everything anyone has ever said in Pakistan's political history.

— Aimun (@bluemagicboxes) May 20, 2022

Imran Khan’s comments about Maryam Nawaz Sharif are not only repulsive they are dangerous. The message it sends to men and boys is that personal attacks against women are okay. That women are not deserving of respect, dignity and power.

— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) May 20, 2022

However, Khan also found support in some followers who brought out old clips of PML-N leaders sharing troublesome comments regarding him and his wife, Bushra Bibi.

I saw @MaryamNSharif hurling abuse, false allegations, name calling, prolonged & consistent at @ImranKhanPTI at every jalsa. A one liner retort &she pulled out the feminist card bleating and crying. I ama feminist, I believe men women are equal. If you give, be ready to receive.

— Sara Taseer (@sarataseer) May 20, 2022

How dare the PML-N play the victim card with Imran Khan’s statements regarding Maryam Nawaz. Have the PML-N forgotten their misogynistic behaviour towards Benazir Bhutto, Bushra Bibi, Jemima Khan, my mother and so many more women!

— Shayan Ali (@ShayanA2307) May 20, 2022

Selective outrage is wrong, if your mouth was not foaming when Imran Khan’s wife, Murad Saeed’s sisters, Shireen Mazari were attacked, sit back and stop!

— Adeel Raja (@adeelraja) May 20, 2022

All those bashing Imran khan for his remarks about Maryam Nawaz, where were you when PMLN was distributing Fake Pictures of Benazir Bhutto, when Jemima was attacked personally for decades & when Bushra Bibi was personally attacked for Years?#MultanJalsa#امپورٹڈ__حکومت___نامنظور

— Eman Tahir Sadiq (@EmanTahirSadiq) May 20, 2022

Apart from tweeps, several politicians too called out the former PM on his recent comments. Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, while condemning Khan's remarks about Maryam, said that one should not stoop this low in politics. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the language used against Maryam was regrettable and the entire nation particularly women are condemning it. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also condemned the former PM's remarks in her tweet.

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