Yesterday, Pakistani journalist Ansar Abbasi became a subject of ridicule after he objected to a women’s exercise session broadcast on Pakistan Television Network. He was so offended by a video of an exercising routine that he ended up tagging Imran Khan, Asim Bajwa and Shibli Faraz in his tweet.
Netizens schooled Ansar Abbasi about how everything about women is not an innuendo, and nor should it be turned into one.
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In a tweet, Ansar Abbasi posted the ‘questionable content’ mentioning Prime Minister Imran Khan, Senator Shibli Faraz, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting, Asim Saleem Bajwa.
Mr PM @ImranKhanPTI this is PTV. @AsimSBajwa @shiblifaraz pic.twitter.com/hpoTxEF4TJ
— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) September 21, 2020
That’s when many others from the Pakistani journalist community asked what the big deal was. They even suggested that Ansar take a more progressive perspective towards things.
Yes IK please see that only the Woman is working out and the man is not , it’s unhealthy. They both should work out.. 🤦♀️ https://t.co/Dw0QfETseP
— Rabia Anum Obaid (@RabiaAnumm) September 22, 2020
The way I see it, PTV is teaching women basic home work out routine so they can take care of their health. https://t.co/iuPt1ubdlw
— Maria Memon (@Maria_Memon) September 21, 2020
And what exactly is wrong with this? She is just working out. What kind of sick pervert sees anything sexual in it? Abbasi sahib, seriously, you need to get a life. Puhleeeeez 🙏🏾
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) September 21, 2020
People suggested that if something as generic as a women’s workout is offensive to the journalist, then he has the liberty to avoid watching television.
Some expressed concern about his mental well-being, advising Mr Abbasi to see a therapist.
Only someone with a sick mind would imply that a video of a woman exercising is in some way inappropriate. Seek psychological counselling, and in the meantime stop watching television or leaving your house for that matter.
— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) September 21, 2020
Even a government minister chimed in:
If Even an exercise session and women picture on advertisement boards makes you feel amorous, you really need psychic therapy and advice….. https://t.co/1Xb9tDwr5R
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 22, 2020
What’s wrong here?
What exactly is wrong with women learning to take care of their health through a public medium created for mass information like PTV?
I dont see anything wrong with this either. Why cant women learn how to take care of their health?
— Saniya (@sania_akhan) September 21, 2020
Anyone criticising this show is simply stupid
— Atir Mumtaz (@atir_mumtaz) September 21, 2020
women taking care of themselves? whatt??? blasphemy!!! wajab ul katal..
how dare they exercise— Ammar (@amchaudary) September 21, 2020
On a serious note, netizens pointed out exactly what’s wrong with objectifying women, especially in the midst of something as ordinary as a workout. Normalizing such behavior and attitudes is what normalizes violent crimes against women like rape.
sexualising and objectifying women doing normal everyday things like working out is also rape culture. https://t.co/Oc7hryY6RE
— Hamna Zubair (@hamnazubair) September 21, 2020
Pitty the mindset, that’s where the problem actually lies! https://t.co/MpTOMa5KVH
— Alina Shigri (@alinashigri) September 22, 2020
Appalling that women are depicted exercising on TV. In the Islamic Republic, good pious women must remain noticeably unhealthy as evidence of a life spent in sedentary invisiblized seclusion behind closed doors. Let's not give little girls any ideas. https://t.co/TIbRCVdko1
— Ammar Rashid (@AmmarRashidT) September 21, 2020
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However, there were some harsh comments or rather suggestive jokes.
And?
What's causing you so much distress at your age?— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) September 21, 2020
Censorship is counterproductive. Men like Ansar Uncle aren’t used to seeing women do normal activities like exercise, so they get excited and sexualize it https://t.co/G2zLfYzrfU
— sohni (@sohnianika) September 21, 2020
Someone even suggested that given how some people are too old to evolve and be better, we just let them live out the remainder of their lives in peace.
Unfortunately, there is no remedy for this mindset! https://t.co/1DD2oHXil5
— Benazir Samad (@BenazirMirSamad) September 21, 2020
Do you think its time for Ansar Abbasi to stop playing the moral police? Or does he have something against exercise? Let us know in the comments below.
