Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan received scathing criticism from women parliamentarians belonging to both sides of the political aisle in the lower house on Monday over his remarks on women elected on reserved seats not representing their constituencies.
The MNAs from both the opposition and treasury benches demanded a privilege motion against Khan for “disrespecting the house”.
“I was shocked to hear such remarks from the man who claims to be the future leader of Pakistan,” said MNA Shehnaz Wazir Ali.
Speaking on a point of order, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Anusha Rehman raised the issue against a backdrop of thumping of desks in her support.
Referring to Khan as “that cricketer,” Rehman questioned the PTI leader’s contribution towards parliamentary development and democracy during the time he was a member of the house.
PML-Q Likeminded member Kashmala Tariq also condemned Khan’s statement. She said that the PTI chief was speaking against more than half of his party’s potential vote bank. “We achieved this representation in parliament after a long struggle. It is our constitutional right,” said Kashmala.
Shehnaz Wazir Ali stressed that the women on reserved seats come through a political process and represent the people of Pakistan, particularly women. “I was shocked to hear that Imran Khan wants to push more than half the country’s population back behind closed doors,” said Ali.
Quoting Article 51 of the Constitution, Law Minister Farooq H Naek told the house that the Constitution clearly provides for 60 seats for women. “It was their (women parliamentarians’) right to demand a privilege motion,” said Naek, adding that it was, however, the speaker’s prerogative to allow or reject it.
MQM’s protest
Speaking on a point of order, Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) member Waseem Akhtar condemned the contempt of court order by the Supreme Court against his party chief Altaf Hussain. He said the order was received and would be replied to in due time by the party’s legal team.
On the controversial delimitations issue, Akhtar said it was not the court’s but election commission’s mandate to decide on the matter. Also, a consensus was necessary before any delimitation exercise, according to the Constitution, he added.
The MQM member was reminded by the deputy speaker that under Article 68 of the Constitution, “conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court cannot be debated in parliament.”
Akhtar, however, insisted that the matter was on public record after the decision of the court was out and he commented on the order not on the judges’ conduct.
The chair, however, ordered to expunge words from Akhtar’s speech, which he interpreted as derogatory or not suitable for discussion in parliament.
Bills Introduced
During the proceedings, Law Minister Naek introduced the 23rd Constitutional Amendment Bill 2012 in the house which seeks an increase in the number of reserved seats for minorities from 10 to 14 in the National Assembly. The amendment bill was sent to the relevant committee for further discussion.
Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar introduced two bills to amend the Electricity Act 1910 and the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 (The Electricity Amendment Bill 2012) and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (The Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2012). The bills suggest stricter punishments for electricity theft besides other amendments.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2012.
COMMENTS (82)
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This reaction shows their political schooling!!!!! Hahahaha Imran is absolutely right in his demands...!!!
@Adnan Siddiqi: You might have heard of resolutions passed by this parliament. The parliament has been turned into a graveyard of resolution. These MPs have been passing resolutions but none of them were implemented. What is the use of these resolutions then. These backbencher female MPs have not done anything extraordinary except clapping. They do not know what is going on in the world because majority of them of them are housewives, jobless begmaats, or so-called civil society activists. This is trend of pocking up the ladies on reserved seats based on favouritism should be given an end. If they wanna prove themselves, they must make their way through ballot. We feel ashamed of calling them as people's representatives. They are their just for their own survival. Let us make them accountable or it will be too late. We appreciate participation of women in politics but this is not the way to represent the nation. Fight elections and we will salute you.
All politicians men or women and for that matter senators should be elected members in parliament or senat.There should not be any reserve seats for any one in parliament or senat.Demcracy in any country requires members who represent general public should come through a process of general election.In fact ,what Imran Khan said was in greater good for Pakistan.Reserve seats for relatives and friends and heads of politcal paties by taking compromising ( MUK MAKA ) positions in selecting each others members in senat kill democracy right away. And then these politicians claim we are the best in holding flag of demcracy in Pakistan. As a matter of fact their such undemoratic practices not only give rise to corruption, lawlesness but also invite third force to step in and fix the things resulting from their wrong doings.
@Wasim Iqbal, Islamabad:
Asghar Khan , the most respected and principled person on our political scene for half a century , could never win a seat through elections . If we find that a person has integrity and honesty and lacks the viles of hypocrisy, we at once consign him to the scrap heap . I am sure shahnaz or Kashmala will certainly not come up to the standard set up by you . You win the argument hands down .
@Waseem Sahib
When you say "our women" you have in mind perhaps 5% of Pakistani middle/upper class women . Over 80% of our women , both rural and urban, have to toil harder than men : they have to raise the families , do household chores AND also to toil daily to earn money on all sorts of menial jobs often suffering indignities at their work places at the hands of their lacherous or sadistic bosses . Sir , you are talking of a species called "Begum Sahiba" , not Pakistani women .
Even Taliban's couldn't do any better. So true Taliban behind Imran's mask shows up again, women should be doing what they are made for 'please the momins' and as consequence 'bachcha do' again and again again, until they are no more.
What IK said was completely right. He didn't say there should be no women in parliament or gov't. He said they should be the ones that actually do represent their communities not put in place just cause there are "reserved" seats for them where their chaacha and mamun can simply place them in cause they are in gov't. Everything on merit that is earned and deserved.
@Adnan Siddiqi: did you dad built Namal university if IK didnt? He built that university during his tenure of being a MNA. Also its not written in any book that if any MNA havent raised an issue before then he can never do it ever in the future.
grow up please.
Ladies switch over to PTI and get the sense of what real representation means--
Election, NOT Selection!
I would like to ask Anusha Rehman to keep the pace slow. She should first relinquish her dual citizenship before saying anything about our national hero and the saviour of this country. Imran has been an honest, fighter and a credible face of the country unlike Anusha Rehman, Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Kashmala Tariq etc, who have been relying on other shoulders to gain some cheap popularity. I would like to ask that have they ever done even a small service for this country except wandering around the world on taxpayers money. We know how they have been making money by becoming members of standing committees and occupying other offices. Imran has not taken anything from the country except bringing all his wealth to Pakistan and giving one of the best cancer hospital which even the generations of these ladies would not have been able to done. Who does know about these widowed, housewives, actress turned politicians.
Long live Imran Khan, the future leader of the great nation of Pakistan, the hope of its millions, the restorer of their pride, executor of their aspirations.
Every Pakistani who is proud of the Great Quaid, please vote for Imran Khan.
Women in the West have equal rights — and responsibilities as well. Our women want equal rights with men but are not willing to stand in queues and want special treatment. Hypocrisy at its best. By the way, do we have a figure about how many of them come from non-political families?
@Zulfikar, Islamabad:
Can you please quote me one resolution or a private bill IK tried to pass in the 2002-2007 Assembly which forbade women to enter the lower house of parliament through a reserve quota? I can't find one! In the words of Anusha Rahman, "IK was the most dormant, apathetic, complacent and useless MNA of that particular Assembly."
@Adnan Siddiqi: my dear friend IK has sworn to uphold the reserved seats. he has merely stated that he would prefer a change in the method by which those women representatives are appointed. Please kindly read the full statement and listen to the full speech that he made. The reserved seats will stay and they will cont8nue to be occupied by women regardless of whether the law is changed or not.
What is the qualification of this Shanaz Wazir Ali, Anusha, Kashmala, we all know what they have been doing. They have managed to reach the parliament through flattery, or due to some personal connections. They should go for elections if they have the guts to win even a councilor seat. They will never be able to win even a small councilor seat, bravo Imran Khan. we are proud of you!
Anusha Rehman, Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Kashmala Tariq etc had to criticize Imran Khan because they do not have any constituency. These women have no option except becoming MNA by licking the feet of their party leaders. We should call them public representatives because they have reached the parliament by using backdoor channels. If there could have been voting, none of these above mentioned including their unelected colleagues would not be able to reach parliament throughout their lives. Anusha should think about paying tax before calling Imran "that cricketer". What is her own credibility? I would like to refer her as "that PML-N woman" in response to her that cricketer. Shame on these unelected women parliamentarians, they should first mend their own fences. Pay tax, look for a constituency. The females MPs who come through proper elections, are most welcome but these drawing room ladies, housewives, who occupy seats on reserved seats must be shown the door. Those who are interested must come through proper elections.
I am with IK on this issue. Election not selection.
@doom: Could you also elaborate as to what he 'actually' meant rather than criticising him ?
I am totally agree with Imran Khan's stance. The current women in parliament are not genuine representation of common Pakistani women. Here is a link to old article on same issue: http://tribune.com.pk/story/403638/reserved-seats-for-women/
I totally agree with Osman ... My experience in Pak's corporate world has taught me that the role of women in development of the organisation as well as the society cannot be underestimated .. However, Imran Khan is accurate in pointing the role of women legislators in the Assembly .. I would request people who are criticising him to name one woman legislator who has come through the ranks on seats reserved for women .. I mean come on people, open your eyes and clear your mind from all the biasedness, IK might start making sense to you ..
I love it... Imran Khan you just keep going the pace you are... let them say whatever they want we going to pass the and show them...
Women In NA should be elect not select...
I humbly implore from the Sheep Herd and the Cult Brigade to cease clarification of every faux paus of their leader who is really heavy on a narcistic disposition.
Can someone dig up any form of objection raised by IK in the assembly of 2002-2007 which actually raised the strength of women elected on reserved seats from 20 to 60? Furthermore, IK took oath under Article 51 of the constitution which specifically mentions the rights and number of seats to be held by minorities and women.
@Mohib: Do you even know what he said? If yes, you are equally ignorant!!!!
I sometime really wonder as to why Grand Hazrat Mufti Imran Khan has to shed light on issues which are far bigger than his intellect and mental capacity.
When you don't have counter arguments, you start twisting opponent's statements.. This is what Kashmala, Anusha, Shahnaz & Company are doing..!
ET is requested to write a story on all women legislators i.e. their party affiliation, contribution, workers or relatives of key party personnel etc..........
We don't want the likes of Marvis and Malik's getting in the parliament without contesting any election but at the whims of their political God father's. They love parliament and hate democracy.
What Imran said is absolutely right. These ladies know they will not be elected bust for the crony system under which they sneak into the house. Why are there so may nieces, cousins, bhabis, aunts of the so called leaders amongst these unelected ladies?
You know it ladies, that is why the anger.
To some extent i agree with Imran Khan (But do not judge me as a racist as i respect women). Women participation is vital to our development. No question about it. but the question is, are the women parliamentarians current holding the reserved seats are contributing to the development of 50% of the population of this country.
I come from a business world where there is cut throat competition. There are companies who practice equal opportunity employment and encourage women participation but not at the cost of Bottom line and KPI's. I have female colleagues working with me who have grown through the system and have proven them selves before they were elevated to a competent place. The work as hard as i do and i fully respect them.
Now if apply the same on the issue of reserved seats, below is what i observe
There is hardly 1-2 % of the female legislators who actively contribute to the proceedings of the house. Then there our others who are social butterfly's who contribute little but take lots of air time (I do not want to name but they are usually on the talk shows). Then there is a silent big majority who do nothing. Majority of the seats are occupied by the Mothers, Wifes and daughters of our current policitcal elite (With no understanding of the issues of the Common Women issues). Most of the seats are distributed as gifts and baksheesh to angry party workers to settle disputes.Under the circumstances, there is hardly any contributions from the female legislators. So i am not against the system, but i can question the system which is not working. an d i believe this is what Imran Khan is doing. If we do not question then we cannot improve.
Mr. Khan you are very rightly pointed out. In the direct contest of women the chances of woman like Kashmala Tariq are not possible so that is why she is crying.
On what merit Kashmala or Marvi got NA seat??? Any one knows? "Manzoor-e-Nazar"
@Enlightened: better off without these mentally challenged women political force who are part of the system NOT because they have a vision or a manifesto but because they represent their feudal families.
Same old story. IK does his flamboyant rhetoric routine leaving the PTI and it's supporters to do the damage control with the usual excuse of "what he actually meant was..." or wailing about misinterpretation. The man must learn to choose his words carefully and maybe anticipate the (obvious) fact that his opponents will try and use what he says against him.
This is one of those rare instances when I agree with Imran khan. Women reps should be elected, not selected from elitist, wealthy families. Women should make speeches, address rallies and raise political slogans. Farcical elections of those like Hina Rabbani Khar who did not appear in public to rally voters coz it was "un-Islamic" should stop.
IK is on their nerves! Keep it up Imran Khan!
most of the women Mna are either wives or daughters of feudal landlords or fromer Mnas . They are truly a buredn on poor economy of Pakistan. Can anyone tell me one credible thing all these women MNA's have done for the countries women empowerment and how can they say represent women when no woman of a Pakistan has elected them and above all the illiteracy rate among women is highest in South Asia , they hardly have any sociopolitical knowledge by the way ?
Would you rather have 60 elected women parliamentarians or 60 selected women parliamentarians. Do keep in mind that the number of women in parliament on reserved seats stays unchanged.
IK is absolutely right. democracy means to be elected in an election and these seats are reserved for women who are well connected or related to various politicians. they dont represent the women of pakistan but just their families.
Not a fan or tsunami khan or any other politician but on this occasion I believe he is right.
It is always funny to listen to Khan, talking of Parliement while remaining outside Parliement.
Please contest elections so that we can judge your worth
I don't think Khan said any thing wrong.It looks that truth is hard for the ignorants to digest
IK is a ticking timebomb.
The nation wants to get rid of Marvi memon, Kashmala, Palwasha, Anushay rehman etc etc who are not representing the voice of real women of Pakistan. They must be out and true women representatives should be in the parliament.
Imran Khan is 100% correct. Almost all women seats are accupied by the relatives of the big names of Pakistan politics. All MNAs or MPAs are handpicked. Why they are crying if Imran Khan has revealed the truth?. In fact in Pakistan no one likes to hear the truth.
Bring it on .... Losers Shouting is all these so called Ladies can do !
Imran Khan must tender an apology immediately to avoid further reduction of women vote bank to his kitty. His earlier comments in support of Taliban and had already drawn a big flak and criticism.
As usual from IK not knowing what he is saying! Not known for his intelligence. He better stick to cricket.
There's no concept of 'selection' in democracies. Everyone has to be elected, be it men or women. Is it that difficult to understand? Feel sorry for our women Parliamentarians.
"I am in favour of reserved seats for women but instead of nominations on lists should be directly elected: Imran Khan" (source: http://www.insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14351/I-am-in-favour-of-reserved-seats-for-women-but-instead-of-nominations-on-lists-should-be-directly-elected-Imran-Khan.aspx)
Can anyone please enlighten me as to what is wrong with the above statement?
Thanking in anticipation.
these are time sever elite of women, they cant bear the heat getting elected by people therefore starts crying
Parliamentarians should be elected by the people and must be qualified for the job, regardless of whether they’re male or female.
Wow the non representative people are talking about representation for GOD sake.
Why are people flipping when IK has already clarified that he is not against reserved seats but the process of nominations (because of room for political manipulation) that should be replaced with elections? Isn't this what democracy is about?
This is ET giving itself rating. Talk absolutely ANYTHING Imran Khan and ensure smooth or rather increased traffic for the day. Yawns
Before lashing out against Imran Khan, women MNA's should at least know what he really said. He just said, women seats should be given through some mechanism of elections and not through 'nominations'. The incompetence of these nominated women MNA's is shown here.
Tribune is once again only reporting one half of the story
Imran sb does make sense though. How can these ladies represent people, if they are not elected. While i understand the headlines may distory the message, his overall speech was actually on the point. The system as it is, shouuld not be accepted. Its simply a way to increase the number of votes for each party.
These womens are speaking only to make thier party heads happy....
Imran has a valid point without running in an election how one be called an elected representative. In fact by separating the women MNAs and senators from running against men it is relegating them and all the women electorate to a second class status.
It also nullifies their authority and stature. Not to mention their political clout. the quota elected MNA should resign. One person one vote,and no discrimination.
Good looking jamat-i-islami with bad extremist mentality......
How many of the women parliamentarians are not related to sitting parliamentarians? They don't represent 50 per cent of the population but their own family members in the house.
Love it, all parties PPP, PMLN, MQM, PMLQ united against Tsunami.....who will win?
Of course women who are "nominated" by party heads would feel insecure about his remarks. And btw, he is NOT against reserved seats, but actually nominations for those seats and instead wants women even on these seats to be there on basis of some form of direct election (even if intra party) so that genuine women representation comes to the fore. The current lot are basically family women and favorites of the party heads which is heavily skewed towards a particular section of women...
Funny ..... They seriously don't know what IK has actually said but they know they got something to talk about against PTI :D
Yes, he rightly said so
The people on reserved seats don't represent us, don't represent the country
Unfortunately his comments taken totally out of context. I also oppose the current allocation system for women in assemble where only the daughters, daugther in laws, wives, nieces etc of the political elite within the party are just given the seat. This is not women empowerment at all. These Gucci ladies do not represent the women of Pakistan and neither are aware of their problems. Let there be reserved seats where elections are contested and who ever comes out as winner, atleast she would have gone through the electoral process and hopefully trained along the way.
There was nothing wrong in what Imran Khan said. Parliamentarians should be elected by the people and must be qualified for the job, regardless of whether they're male or female. Giving seats to people simply because they're women and not because they're qualified for the job will maintain corruption in the Pakistani Government.
Besides, I'm pretty sure most people would rather have a male PTI member in parliament rather than a female PML-N/PPP member,
This issue is due to total misunderstanding. Imran Khan has not at all opposed reserved seats for women rahter he opposed the selection process for reserved seats of women. He said that women for reserved seats should be elected by people in the general election rather than selected by parties after election.
Kashmala plz
“Legislators in assemblies are representatives of the people. How can some women be representative of women when they haven’t even contested elections? In some areas it is not possible for women to contest elections, but political parties should hold elections within their ranks and promote women into higher leadership positions” -Imran Khan
He is against reserved seats..not against women being democratically elected into the parliament
Ha, that's because these women were gifted these seats, and they did not have to contest them. What sort of women rights are these? Why are other women denied the right to contest these seats? What happened to equal merit? . . This is exactly why it will hurt these women to accept the truth, that they are in a position of responsibility, not privilege.
What Imran said is right. Just look at the stats. A majority of these women who come on reserved seats are those that are relatives of their party leaders. They dont know a damn thing and do nothing at all. Yes a few of them are active, but the majority is not representative of the women. What Imran said was that instead of the party selecting which women should come on reserved seats, elections should be held for the reserved women so that more representative women come forward.
Imarn Khan was not against the women representation in Assembly. He mentioned Women should not select but they must elect. As by this only Elite women or relatives mange to rech Assembly. As for example Saad Rafique THe PML-N MNA, his wife is selected as MPA in Punjab Assembly. SO there are many such examples. IK is against these women selection. Ik wants lot women in Assembly.
Protest protest protest - is all they can do. when was the last time these parliamentarians themself gave an idea for equality of women?
Lol we are a funny nation. first they ask for equal rights and then they can't let go the privileges they receive for being a women!
Seriously nothing wrong with what Imran Khan Said:
"“Legislators in assemblies are representatives of the people.How can some women be representative of women when they haven’t even contested elections? In some areas it is not possible for women to contest elections, but political parties should hold elections within their ranks and promote women into higher leadership positions,” he said.
I can't wait for political parties to get jobs to their school going children since tax payers are already paying for housewives turned politicians filling up women seats.
when did imran said that..keep your ears open..