PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja’s response to remarks made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Information Minister Shafi Jan against Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has been slammed, with journalists and commentators questioning whether the party has a clear red line on statements targeting women.
Speaking to journalist Munizae Jahangir, Raja said that Shafi Jan’s remarks were not appropriate and had faced criticism from different sides.
“Look, that was not right. That statement was heavily criticized from all sides, and it was said that this is not good and things like that shouldn’t be said,” Raja said.
Jahangir repeatedly asked Raja where he would draw a red line over remarks against women and whether statements that could amount to incitement to violence should be tolerated.
Raja stated that he was not defending Shafi Jan’s remarks but described references to “incitement to rape” as an excessive interpretation of what had been said.
“I definitely do not want to defend that statement, but it is what it is. We should neither push it further nor reduce it. What was said was not in good taste,” Raja replied.
He added that discussions had taken place within the party over the remarks, adding that he often expressed his displeasure during internal conversations.
Jahangir then raised the issue of party culture and referred to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto reprimanding a party senator over a statement concerning women.
Raja agreed that party culture was relevant but stated that misogynistic attitudes existed across Pakistani society and political parties.
“Look, this misogynistic culture exists throughout Pakistan,” Raja remarked, adding that political parties needed to maintain discipline internally.
When Jahangir asked about the party’s policy regarding women and whether it had a clear red line, Raja said that the policy was clear. He also pointed to PTI’s record of giving women direct election tickets, pointing out that 12 women were currently directly elected on PTI tickets.
The comments prompted criticism on social media.
Columnist Ayesha Ijaz Khan said that Raja was unable to establish a clear red line despite Jahangir repeatedly asking him about lewd remarks against women.
“This was so incredibly lame by @salmanAraja,” Khan wrote, adding that Raja “kept trying to blame it on society at large.”
Khan added that misogyny remained a problem in society but argued that PTI had taken it to a different level.
She wrote, “First learn to respect women and take action against those who disrespect them publicly before you ask for your fundamental rights. Yes, it has to work in that order!”
Journalist Maheen Ghani said that Raja had called the comments out but argued that describing them as “bad taste” was not enough.
“Giving women election tickets is also good but it doesn’t erase PTI’s history of misogyny, especially towards women outside the party,” Ghani wrote.
She called for a clear party policy on women, reprimands for people who cross the line and action against those responsible.
Political Analyst Syed Faraz Darvesh also criticised Raja, saying that he had become part of what he described as “filth” surrounding misogynistic attitudes in PTI.
