PTI MNA faces backlash over ‘misogynistic’ remarks on KE official’s attire

Sherry Rehman says Iqbal Afridi’s remarks reflected a ‘narrow-minded and gender-biased mentality’

ISLAMABAD:

PTI Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Iqbal Afridi sparked controversy during a parliamentary committee meeting by criticising the attire of a female representative from K-Electric, calling it "inappropriate" and demanding the establishment of dress code SOPs for meetings.

The incident occurred during a session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Energy, chaired by MNA Muhammad Idris, as reported by Express News. A female official from K-Electric was present at the meeting.

Afridi objected to the woman's clothing, stating, "The attire in which the K-Electric woman attended the meeting is objectionable. Such attire should not be allowed in meetings, and there should be SOPs for women’s dress as well." The committee chairperson later apologised for the remark.

The comments quickly drew criticism from various political quarters. PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman expressed her dismay, calling the objection "regrettable." She stated, "The woman must have reached her position due to her competence and qualifications, which the committee member should have respected. Who made male legislators the ‘policemen’ of women’s attire?"

Rehman further criticised Afridi’s remarks, saying they reflected a "narrow-minded and gender-biased mentality," adding that such objections stem from a patriarchal mindset that seeks to control women by targeting their clothing. "Women have every right to participate in any professional environment in attire they find comfortable and appropriate," she said.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, also condemned the incident, stating that harassment of women is unacceptable in any form. "We condemn the incident in the committee meeting. PTI has become a movement of injustice towards women," Tarar remarked.

He called on PTI to take action against Afridi, arguing that women already face significant challenges in society. "This is PTI’s fascism coming to the forefront. Justice demands that Iqbal Afridi’s party membership be suspended for this attack," Tarar concluded.