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KP Assembly unanimously passes resolution against Aurat March, terming it 'shameful'
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Aurat March, which was held across Pakistani cities on March 8.
The resolution, presented by Rehana Ismail of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), claimed that women had taken part in the march holding placards and raising slogans that were "obscene".
"Some hidden forces have sped up their efforts to destroy our family system and social customs, the practical demonstration of which took place on March 8, 2019, in various big cities on Women's Day," the resolution stated.
It said the demands made at the event for women empowerment were "shameful and un-Islamic".
The document stated that although the provincial assembly supports the rights granted to women and minorities by Islam, the "obscenity" witnessed on March 8 was not acceptable to it.
It asked the KP government to request the federal government to "expose" such forces and their "conspiracies" and prepare a strategy to deal with such incidences in the future.
The resolution in its original form was opposed by MPAs of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), but after some redaction and negotiations, they agreed to unanimously pass the measure.
Speaking during the session, PTI MPA Ayesha Bano said they supported organisations that speak for women's rights, however, "We do not accept any demands of women which are against Islam."
Opposition leader Akram Khan Durrani, who also belongs to MMA, recalled that a banner at the Aurat March had read "Apna moza khud dhundo (find your own sock)" and said: "If I have pain in my back and my wife helps me put on a sock, what is wrong in that?"
PML-N's parliamentary leader in the KP Assembly, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Zaman, claimed that certain NGOs were working against Islamic injunctions and the Constitution. "Shamelessness is being spread in the name of 'change'," he stated.
Women in large numbers, as well as men, had participated in the Aurat March held across the country to mark International Women’s Day on March 8. The first such march took place in Karachi in 2018; this year, the rally was extended to more cities including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Larkana and Hyderabad.
Comments (67) Closed
Shame on KP assembly and particularly JUI. They cannot dictate and enforce their views upon others. The placards are an eye opener for a society that is dominated by illiterate and ignorant men. A prostitute wearing a burka is acceptable but a girl from noble family in Chaddar is bad because she is holding placards showing you your discrimination. No wonder why you hate them
Only in KP...can we send these lawmakers back to primary school?
Finally, got to hear some sane words on this shameless March. Thanks KP MPs. Keep up the good work!!!
There is nothing to be shameful, may be to Mullahs but not to the current society.
Are the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly members scared of women?
Somebody need to tell these people equal rights means equal rights..
Shame on KP assembly.
What is really shameful is the unanimity of ignorance.
Not 5 but it takes many years to change mindset of the ignorant and conservative people.
They have nothing better to do sitting in Assemblies??
It is not unanimous decision because KP assembly do not have equal representation of woman. The issue is about woman therefore woman decide whether Aurat March shameful or not.
No harm in a march, nothing obscene. Tribal system resisting change.
Shame on the KP Parliment. If they care so much about Islam then please pass unanimous resolutions on social equality, economic equality, gender equality, and freedom from want of basic necessities.
Disappointing
KP Assembly is 50 years lagging behind compare rest of assemblies. Spread of Education across genders is drastically needed.
The world is watching. Treat your mothers, sisters and daughters better. They comprise over 50 percent of your national treasure.
No Aurat March was held in KPK? Right.
I think they lost the actual message of some of those banners
I agree with the assembly.....I am all for women freedom and equality but the placards were extremely vulgar....
Very unfortunate and regressive move by the KP Assembly. Country is slowly sliding back into the mediaeval ages when the world is marching forward towards gender equality.
My question is: Why hold a march on international women's day? We don't need to depend on other countries to tell us when to hold a march. Women in Pakistan must feel free to raise their voice whenever they want. Also, there are ways to seek your rights and holding a 'march' is one of them. Why not explore other more inclusive and appropriate options that would invite males, religious authorities, elderly, from all income levels. Then it will be a unanimous voice.
If we treat them like our sisters, mothers and daughters, nothing is shameful. However this shows the direction of our people’s mentality. They won’t march if they are given protection and rights by the state and the society.
7th century mentality
Women were right in their views to an extent. Some want too much of freedom but Male dominating society is breeding problems.... Whenever they want, they get married and when they want they divorce, mostly without any reason. But at the same time women cannot decide best for them. They are kept caged. She is barred from going to work or school. She isn't allowed to get education in many parts of the country. Why is it so? Education is for all. she is often beaten at home. In villages, girls are married forcefully at very young age. "We can't develop as a nation unless and until we don't allow women to work equally as their male fellows"....
Mullah rule in progression.
Sad the PTI members voted against Aurat March. Understand JUI and JI members wants Aurat to be prisoner of house, except their family women be part of assemblies and senate.
All these politicians work for the Democratic Pakistan, they all talk about Democracy, but they fail to realize that under any democracy, freedom of speech is their right as a citizen, man or a woman.
This resolution reflects the insecurities of men. Rights and freedom of a human being, a woman in this case, cannot be made hostage to societal values or historic norms. Societies should keep evolving with times lest they become stagnant and repressive. Go women. Down with misogyny and obscurantism.
@Strategist, A prostitute whether wearing a burqa or not is condemned in our society. Today there are many platforms discussing and supporting the rights of women . Today I am proud to see many Female CEOS running the affairs of companies and holding senior positions in banks etc. We need to further protect our females from sexual harassment and other issues. But the Aurat March held some shameless placards which are being condemned. Let's work together to reduce the increase in divorce rate and other issues which are destroying the basic fabric of our Islamic culture and society.
So unbelievably silly. Surely there are more serious issues to worry about
KP- no change.Why PTI/PPP support this resolution.
Kp will move out of the stoneage one day, inshallah.
“Apna moza khud dhundo”, what is un-islamic in this? I declare this KP resolution to be un-islamic. It victimises people who have done nothing wrong.
@Strategist, obscenity in the garb of rights can’t be allowed.
What a shame don’t these mullahs have any thing else to dwell on. They should focus on child abuse in madrasas.
Yes there were obscene placards. Yes that one little march in Karachi did not represent 90% of Pakistani women. But then, nobody except 2 or 3 medics hours took it seriously either.
please ignore these people. nothing wrong in placards. little freedom for our mothrrs, wives, daughters, sisters is a breath of fresh air. trust them, Give them confidence, so that they can contribute positively in countries economy. make them independent. they should be able to take care for themselves in any cicumstances. This would also contribute to Naya Pakistan.
Heading towards dark ages.
Stand up for your women.: Your mothers... Daughters.... Sisters... Wives... Be proud of them!
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
Sheer shameful to silence the free speech regarding human rights..!
KP assembly view is against the freedom of speech and human rights in Pakistan constitution. Must apologise the people .
KPK you are taking Pakistan to Stone Age. KPK is not in Afghanistan it’s in Pakistan therefore please let the women in KPK enjoy basic rights under the Pakistani constitution. Thank you.
Please lawmakers in KPK Let the poor women in KPK enjoy basic constitutional rights in Pakistan.
Good Show. It's time that women should be given place in society.
@Strategist, Well said.
What a backward lot!
@Strategist, Well said
Pakistan is a equal opportunity state for all regardless their gender. There was no obscene poster for a reasonable person. KP can shut their ears and eyes. Pakistan is on its way to moving forward. Aurat Movement Zindabad. Well done ladies.
Good to see that the representatives of the people unanimously condemned the indignations during Aurat March. Also, shows how devoid the Aurat March is of the female majority in Pakistan. Pushing the pseudo-feminism agenda forcefully does not empower women,
There is no value of any of the resolutions passed. Its just to satisfy their egos. Its just another piece of waste paper. Keep doing it. No one cares.
Let the women be women! KP lawmakers are in the wrong. What would you expect from a bunch of patriarchs?
A bunch of idiots questioning the rational demands of the oppressed
I support the KP assembly.
I lived in Karachi, i was feeling ashamed of the Aurat march.
@Feroz, I agree
But the KP Assembly doesn't find it obscene that a group of men have given themselves the power and authority to stop a sizeable section of society, i.e.women, from standing up for the right to take charge of their own lives as mature, full-fledged citizens. Do these people realise that they are making themselves look like the champions of injustice that they are?
March slogans were not shameful; resolution passed by the Assembly is certainly.
No KPK is taking you to Stone Age ... few mullahs & few women on a specific agenda are definitely.
I am from KPK . Time has come to vote wisely and expel these mullahs for once and for all. MMA's feudal ideology and extreme mindset is been rejected by the masses of KPK long ago by voting for PTI in consecutive two elections. It is now evident that MMA has lose elections in biog numbers and are finding ways to attract masses through false claims and propaganda. These nefarious designs are doom to fail and the people of KPK will do whats best according to the teachings of Islam which is moderate and open to accepting others.
It was expected from MMA & especially in district like KPK. Instead of using logic or rationality these Mullahs believes in force & these types of resolution or actions will exposed them more.
Why they have never passed resolution against any " Shameful" act of men or do men in KP never do shameful acts ?
Shame on these Politicians who can not provide Safety, security and honor the women in this country even in this 21st century.
Women rights must be protected, but this Aurat March is in no way helping women in Pakistan.
More power to women. No country can progress by keeping half of its population enslaved.
@Strategist, the objections placed are very valid. women rights must be ensured and concrete steps are very much needed to bring along our customs traditions in line with Islam because Islam has defined both women and men rights not in equality but ensuring equity. however, women rights have been confused with women desires and same goes for men. our desires must be kept under check because human beings tends to cross the limits of modesty.
@SSR, its a woman who put forward the resolution mate. dont confuse women rights with women desires. infact human rights with human desires. certain boundaries are a must to ensure modesty. Islam has given rights to both men and women. lets focus on hw to bring about the much needed change in hw men and women treat each other in light of Islamic teachings
Mothers,Sisters, Daughters and Wives March should be promoted.