Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry is facing intense criticism on social media after calling on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly to ban underage marriages and “bachabazi” in the province.
Bachabazi is a term usually used to refer to interest in or fornication with male adolescents or teenagers.
In a post on X on Pashtun Culture Day, Chaudhry said, “On Pakhtoon Culture day I demand KP Assembly to ban under age marriages and BachaBazi in KP, children exploitation in the name of tribal culture must end now…. #BanChildMarriages.”
His remarks drew heated reactions from users who accused him of singling out KP and Pashtuns while saying that child exploitation is not limited to the province.
One user reminded Chaudhry of the 2015 Kasur child abuse scandal, saying, “Fawad, you forget too quickly: Kasur Child Abuse Scandal in 2015. Most of them were boys.”
Another user said that child exploitation should be stopped wherever it occurs and argued that targeting only KP was not appropriate, pointing to cases reported in Punjab, including Kasur.
Several users also challenged Chaudhry’s reference to Pashtun culture. One user said that his posts were “full of hate” and accused him of repeatedly speaking against Pashtuns, while another said, “Why are you showing this much hate to pukhtoons??? This won’t help! Shame on you.”
A user also argued that underage marriage and “BachaBazi” were not issues specific to KP, saying, “Underage marriage is already banned and bacha bazi is illegal across Pakistan. It’s not KP or Pukhtoon issue.”
Another person added that the issue existed across the country and called on assemblies to address it without singling out one province.
Some users also brought up Punjab while responding to Chaudhry’s post. One comment said, “If we start highlighting all the issues in Punjab and with Punjabi society you will have a nice reality check,” while another claimed that child sexual abuse was recorded at a higher level in Punjab.
Another user asked Chaudhry to look at a National Commission on the Rights of Child report and argued that cases of “BachaBazi” were also reported in Punjab.
Others questioned why Chaudhry was raising the issue now, with one user asking, “You were a minister sir. Why didn’t you speak up then??”
Another user said “BachaBazi” was neither culturally accepted nor promoted and argued that individuals could violate social norms in any society. The user supported a ban on child marriage but objected to linking the issue specifically to Pashtuns.
One post criticised Chaudhry’s political record, saying that the Punjab Assembly should also address “cowardice in politics” for politicians who flee after hearing police sirens.
Another user said that Chaudhry’s remarks should be remembered, arguing that his post reflected his views about Pashtuns and questioning why he had previously been given a ministry.
