Politicians and journalists have condemned remarks passed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Information Minister Shafi Jan against Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari during KP Assembly proceedings, with several calling for an apology.
Shafi Jan had said that Maryam Nawaz would have to apologise for her statement and referred to Pashtuns as “Jungli (savages)” before saying that if she liked “savages” so much, some could be sent to Azma Bukhari.
The remarks triggered a wave of criticism from politicians and journalists, with several saying political differences should not be used to target women or their personal lives.
Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Kasim Gilani called the statement “Highly condemnable and deeply irresponsible” and accused PTI of being anti-women. He argued that the party’s repeated conduct showed disregard for women’s dignity and participation in public life.
MNA Sher Afzal Khan Marwat also criticised Shafi Jan’s remarks, arguing that the minister had tried to politically target Maryam Nawaz and Azma Bukhari but instead damaged his own party’s position.
“Shafi Jan! Today, you sought to politically wound Maryam Nawaz and Azma Bukhari, but you ended up making your own party’s moral superiority the target,” Marwat wrote.
He maintained that dragging women’s marriages, character and private lives into politics was “neither bravery, nor politics, nor Pashtun tradition”.
“Fight the opponent’s policies, don’t cross the threshold of their home,” Marwat added.
MQM-P Senator Faisal Subzwari also condemned the remarks, calling them “Shameful, indecency”.
He noted that the laughter and desk-thumping by other assembly members during the minister’s remarks showed that the issue was not limited to one speaker but reflected a wider mindset towards women politicians.
Podcast host Shehzad Ghias Shaikh wrote, “Every day PTI finds a new low to stoop down to” while journalist Abbas Nasir simply called the remarks “Disgusting”.
Journalist Zahid Gishkori called for an “Apology to Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Azma Bukhari” and described the remarks as “Completely Rotten Shameful & Condemnable”.
Journalist Ajmal Jami also criticised the comments, remarking, “These are shameful and regrettable remarks. Such behaviors should be condemned.”
Wife of former federal minister Hiba Fawad said that Shafi Jan’s language against Azma Bukhari was “extremely reprehensible and shameful”.
“Political differences have their place, but the mockery of any woman is unacceptable under any circumstances,” she stressed.
Hiba also questioned Shafi Jan over whether women in his own family, including his mother, sister and daughter, could be addressed in the same way. “Disagree, criticize, but do not forget civility and boundaries,” she added.
Coordinator to Prime Minister of Pakistan for Information Iftikhar Wali criticised PTI’s senior leadership for not taking notice of Shafi Jan’s statement.
“The senior leadership of PTI did not take notice of Shafiq Jan’s statement, and if they do not apologize, how will Imran Niazi’s family remain safe,” Wali argued.
He urged the entire leadership to condemn the remarks, warning that otherwise their moral advice to political leaders, journalists and anchors would lose credibility.
Journalist Khurram Iqbal also condemned the remarks and addressed Shafi Jan as a “decent, sensible, educated young minister”.
“Such a statement from you on the assembly floor was absolutely unexpected. Such remarks for any woman are deplorable,” he remarked.
He also urged opposition politicians not to abandon civility during political disagreements.
Politician Dewan Sachal called for action against Shafi Jan and questioned why he remained free.
“Why is he still Free? If he steps one foot into Islamabad and is still not arrested, Interior Minister should Resign. If he Steps into Punjab and is not arrested Maryam Nawaz Should Resign along with her IG Police Punjab,” Sachal wrote.
He added, “How will you Save Pakistan if you can’t take care of Terrorists. Shafi Jan is a Terrorist … Period !!”
Another user described Shafi Jan’s remarks as “one of the most filthy and disgusting things I’ve ever seen a Pakistani politician say”.
The user argued that Shafi Jan, as the official spokesperson of the KP government, was “completely unfit” to serve in the assembly or as a minister and called the remarks “Pathetic”.
Another social media user also criticised the remarks and called for the Punjab government to stop official advertisements for channels that continued to invite the politician on talk shows until he apologised.
“How can it be that vile language is used against your Chief Minister and Information Minister, and you keep feeding milk to the snake itself? Nothing is greater than respect,” the user remarked.
Another user said that the remarks represented Imran Khan and PTI and called them evidence of the party’s conduct.
“This is the reality of their party. In the history of Pakistan, perhaps no political party or government has ever sunk to such depths of depravity,” the person wrote.
