Its no secret that politics is a dirty business, and that rivals often indulge in mud-slinging matches to discredit their opposition. However, for someone who occupies the top leadership position in Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan must be held to a higher standard than his opponents.
We are referring of course to a rather unfortunate remark made by Prime Minster in Wana at a rally, where he calls PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, ‘sahiba’.
Many people are saying that this might have been a slip of a tongue, with others saying it was deliberate. In any case, implying that being a woman is an insult is rather problematic, no matter which side of the political divide you fall into.
ALSO READ
Jemima Humorously Lets Down Fans Hopeful for Her Reunion With Imran Khan
Background of Recent Sparring Match between IK and BBZ
During the past few days, Bilawal questioned Imran Khan’s Oxford education, following a harmless gaffe PM Khan made while speaking in Iran about ‘Germany and Japan sharing borders.’
Following that incident, the PM responded by calling the PPP Chairman as a ‘lady’.
We believe that political sparring aside, that remark just doesn’t sit well at all, especially when one is occupying a big office.
Pakistani Twitter certainly didn’t like it, even Khan’s own supporters as well. There are better ways to attack your political opponent than just hurling terms like ‘sahiba’. Unless you think that being a woman is an insult in itself.
Social Media Has a Lot to Say About It
Here are some reactions from Pakistani Twitter regarding the incident.
Imran Khan shouldn't of said that. Just the decorum of the PM office alone is reason enough not to. But then again I'm far more offended on the general incomprehensible incompetence and in-your-face corrupt practices of PPP in Sindh.
— SAZ (@my55cents) April 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/Le_Sabre54/status/1121013497167536128
At 66, with an Oxford education, having lived/travelled around the world, served as our cricket captain and now as our PM is this how you see female gender? You consider it a sign of weakness. You think your words will inspire our women? You'll never have half the guts #SMBB did pic.twitter.com/Tyxpdr2kpn
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) April 24, 2019
What was it that he said about small men in big offices? https://t.co/DerDJOQOBf
— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) April 24, 2019
Other Pakistani Politicians Don’t Fare Any Better
To be fair, its not just one person we should be outraging against, but an entire culture that thrives on calling women names and all sorts of choicest insults. Here are some other politicians who have done the same:
And what about your inner self? Have you forgotten your remarks on the floor of the Parliament? Apni harkatain aur baatein dekh kar baat kerain. Sharam tou magar inhay aatee nahee… https://t.co/AInH04opFn
— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) April 24, 2019
Sit down. You should be the last person condemning a sexist remark. We haven't forgotten your remarks about @ShireenMazari1. https://t.co/fpqoLz4LgA
— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) April 24, 2019
An eye opener for PMLN Twitter bde, what Rana Sanaullah saying about Bilawal. Shame on Rana for such cheap comments https://t.co/5DcTIiIKEQ
— Shakil Ahmad Khan (@ShakilDregoon) April 25, 2019
This is pretty damning as well:
Ishaq Dar after facing tough grilling by JIT members passed sexist remarks against Jemima Khan (IK's first wife). pic.twitter.com/MReVgcJ9rM
— السراب (@Zarkawaa) June 13, 2018
Bus karein! Sab say bari misogynistic political party aap ki hai! I abhor your audacity https://t.co/zte8HSsbap
— Dr. Amnah Mustafa (@amnahshah) April 24, 2019
Rem when Aijazz saab told SM to suck it up after Kh Asif called her a ‘tractor trolley ‘?
Rem when Maryam Nawaz Sharif had all her MNAs give Javed a Latif a round of applause for having gone after Murad Saeed’s sister?— ChaiCoffsKey (@ZTan14377) April 25, 2019
It was a slip of tongue brother. But u know what was blatant?CmSindh calling 1st lady pinky peerni, saeed ghani calling firdos ashiq awan mummy, nafisa shah n shehla raza calling for dope test did u criticize??
— Asfand (@asfandbyar) April 24, 2019
1-Shireen mazari mocked for wearing dupatta on iran’s official tour.
2-Jacinda Arden became hero of Pakistani nation for her head cover “dupatta” gesture . This is how this Pakistani society practices double standards on the very same notion of dupatta.@ShireenMazari1— Shamsakhalil (@shamsakhalil) April 24, 2019
Sadly, the list of Pakistani politicians belittling women is endless. Sadder yet, this recent incident by IK will just become yesterday’s news in a day or two.
Like every other outraging session on social media, it seems like this guy is right on the money:
Can't really wait for Monday so people will get out of this 'sahiba' discussion and everyone will be mourning the deaths of their favourite GOT characters.
— umer. (@TyrionTribbiani) April 25, 2019
