ISLAMABAD: Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan’s ex-premier, faced backlash in the Senate on Friday over allegations of making sexist comments during his homecoming rally over the weekend. After spending four years in self-imposed exile in London, Sharif returned to Pakistan on October 21 and delivered a large rally speech in Lahore, his hometown.
In the midst of his emotional speech, he criticized the women supporting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for dancing at the party’s gatherings.
“Where are our sisters? Look how respectfully our sisters are listening to this rally. There is no one dancing to music here. Do you comprehend what I’m saying or not,” he said, gesturing towards his women supporters in attendance at the rally.
Although his words were spoken in the heat of the moment and no derogatory language was overtly used, his opponents objected to his tone.
The issue resonated in the Senate where Senator Walid Iqbal from PTI criticized the former premier, stating that Sharif should be educated on how to “respect women”.
“Altaf Hussain (former chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement) also spoke against women and later had to apologize,” Iqbal remarked.
When Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani intervened and urged Iqbal to refrain from making political statements, Iqbal responded by saying: “I am not making a political statement.”
Earlier, former PTI female legislator Maleeka Bokhari took to social media to express her objection to the reference made towards the PTI women supporters.
“A convicted ex-premier openly making sexist and misogynistic remarks about women’s political participation. Of course, he believes that only his daughter, Maryam, has the privilege and right to engage in politics and should be treated with respect,” she stated on X.
In the midst of his emotional speech, he criticized the women supporting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for dancing at the party’s gatherings.
“Where are our sisters? Look how respectfully our sisters are listening to this rally. There is no one dancing to music here. Do you comprehend what I’m saying or not,” he said, gesturing towards his women supporters in attendance at the rally.
Although his words were spoken in the heat of the moment and no derogatory language was overtly used, his opponents objected to his tone.
The issue resonated in the Senate where Senator Walid Iqbal from PTI criticized the former premier, stating that Sharif should be educated on how to “respect women”.
“Altaf Hussain (former chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement) also spoke against women and later had to apologize,” Iqbal remarked.
When Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani intervened and urged Iqbal to refrain from making political statements, Iqbal responded by saying: “I am not making a political statement.”
Earlier, former PTI female legislator Maleeka Bokhari took to social media to express her objection to the reference made towards the PTI women supporters.
“A convicted ex-premier openly making sexist and misogynistic remarks about women’s political participation. Of course, he believes that only his daughter, Maryam, has the privilege and right to engage in politics and should be treated with respect,” she stated on X.
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