Federal Minister for Defence, Khwaja Asif, found himself yet again at the center of a controversy after he passed derogatory comments about female legislators of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
After being criticized by PTI parliamentarians on the “bulldozing” of bills in the assembly, Asif spoke up and reminded the opposition of their government’s tenure when bills were similarly bulldozed through the lower House.
“Depraved women should not lecture on chastity,” he said, then stated that if he responds, the “woman card” will be used against him.
Asif then went on to call the women the “remains” and “ruins” of Imran Khan, pointing towards the benches where Senators Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, Sania Nishtar, Falak Naz Chitrali and Fawzia Arshad were sitting.
“This is the garbage that has to be cleaned,” he remarked.
His comments were met by fierce protests by PTI female parliamentarians.
Raja Pervez Ashraf, the Speaker of the National Assembly, then expunged the word “garbage” from the speech.
Asif, who has in the past been accused of misogynistic comments, most notably against PTI leader Shireen Mazari, has been slammed by commentators and politicians for the speech.
This is not the first time! @KhawajaMAsif has made derogatory remarks about female politicians that too on floor of the house. During the joint session he said; “These characterless women cannot lecture us.", He further adds, "A man who needs women to defend him, it speaks… pic.twitter.com/zQ33gNh9gh
— Absa Komal (@AbsaKomal) July 25, 2023
