Fawad Ch’s sexist remarks about Hina Rabbani Khar draw reaction on Twitter

Former minister for information and broadcasting, and former minister for science and technology Fawad Chaudhry recently made some very sexist remarks about Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar. Social media users, regardless of political allegiance, rose to the occasion and defended her against his blatant sexism and misogyny.

On April 19, Fawad Ch posted an old interview from Khar’s last appointment as foreign minister which was in 2011. She was not only the youngest person but also the first woman to have held the position in Pakistan’s history. In his tweet, Chaudhry insulted her intelligence and credibility, attaching it to her “Birkens”.

When you appoint a low IQ women whose only claim to fame is her Berkin bags and expensive eye shades such blunders ll become a norm, hope ll get rid of this lot sooner than later #ImportedGovernmentNamzanzoor pic.twitter.com/KCCkloO9kX

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 19, 2022

“When you appoint a low IQ women whose only claim to fame is her Berkin bags and expensive eye shades such blunders ll become a norm, hope will get rid of this lot sooner than later #ImportedGovernmentNamzanzoor [sic],” he tweeted.

https://t.co/NX1N2Joz0F
The whole interview. Every important question asked she said not in the room. Imagine being the FM of a country and playing the double game on drones. Yes, she is eloquent and articulates well but I will have SMQ over her 10/10 times.

— Malik Usman (@Osman_malik5) April 19, 2022

The former minister faced immediate backlash from netizens regardless of their political affiliation — some social media users specifically mentioned that they were PTI supporters and did not endorse these claims, calling them “unbecoming” and “unacceptable.” On the contrary, the users called Khar “articulate” and “one of the best foreign ministers our county has had”, asking Chaudhry to apologise.

Best FM according to youthias. pic.twitter.com/Vmx8BJrtJ6

— Fuse (@FuseTakes) April 19, 2022

Several users found it necessary to remind Chaudhry of former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s “chewing non-responsiveness” and “unnecessary sniggering” when he was called out for anti-Semitism following a comment he made about Israel having “deep pockets” during his interview with CNN.