Shireen Mazari accuses Aurat March of being ‘foreign funded’ over political stance

While reacting to Aurat March’s statement in which the forum strongly condemned the constitutional crisis in Pakistan and the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA), Federal Minister Shireen Mazari dropped a controversial tweet.

A day earlier in a tweet, the Aurat March criticised Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, saying: “We condemn the political circus that has been kicked off due to the fragile masculine ego of a person who has sabotaged democratic processes just to save the perception of his individuality and to stage a dirty manoeuvre for his comeback to power.”

We condemn the political circus that has erupted due to the fragile masculine ego of a person who has sabotaged democratic processes just to save the perception of his individuality and to stage a dirty manoeuvre for his comeback to power.#NoConfidenceMotion#AuratMarch2022 pic.twitter.com/Y4xccTJI6T

— Aurat March – عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) April 3, 2022

The statement clearly didn’t sit well with Mazari. She replied in disagreement, saying that “This [statement] shows Aurat March has little to do with genuine issues faced by women in Pakistan and more with politics and political agendas. Since many here have NGOs funded from abroad this statement, while condemnable, is not surprising. Fact is the US sought regime change and we do not accept it.”

This shows Aurat March has little to do with genuine issues faced by women in Pak & more with politics & political agendas. Since many here have NGOs funded from abroad this statement while condemnable is not surprising. Fact is the US sought regime change & we do not accept it https://t.co/7GwhsyPYWg

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 4, 2022

Indirectly hinting at Mazari, Aurat March Lahore released a brief statement, saying, “We cannot be asked to stay in our lane when the politics of this country deeply impact us.”

Aurat March Lahore believes that the feminist movement is not apolitical. We are just as impacted by the political machinations in assemblies and courtrooms as the rest of the country, and we have as much of a right to comment on it.#AsalInsaaf #AuratMarch2022 #AuratMarch pic.twitter.com/giRbSVZT84

— ⁧Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) April 4, 2022

We cannot be asked to "stay in our lane" when the politics of this country deeply impacts us.

Our activism is inherently political.
The personal is political. #AsalInsaaf #AuratMarch2022 #AuratMarch pic.twitter.com/D4UOJesZbN

— ⁧Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) April 4, 2022

The statement reads, “Aurat March does not accept funds from, partner with, or endorse any political party, NGO or corporation. We reject the idea that activism should be apolitical.”

“We will continue to engage with politics, not only because it has a tangible impact on our lives, safety and wellbeing but because we are unafraid to stand up to institutions of political power,” the statement further reads.