Review slogans, Awan tells Aurat March

E-Paper | March 10, 2026

LAHORE: Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says she will continue standing with women for their cause but the slogans promoted by some organisations working for women are against the values of this society.

Speaking at a Women’s Day event here on Monday, the minister asked Aurat March activists to review their approach of putting up banners and placards bearing “uncalled-for slogans”.

Dr Awan said the PTI government wanted to create a society where gender equality and women rights were protected in line with the Islamic principles and values.

She stressed that women should also ensure their honour and integrity by creating a balance in the society.

Coming to politics, Awan said Prime Minister Imran Khan had rather thrashed the joint opposition in the Parliament and now no one would listen to their threats in Punjab.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2021

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Bilal

Mar 09, 2021 09:26am

Useless minister

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MONIER

Mar 09, 2021 09:34am

Good advice.

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Majid

Mar 09, 2021 09:43am

What outlet do those suppressed women have other than holding placards and taking out marches once or twice a year.

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Mar 09, 2021 09:52am

Very correct. There is a very large western agenda on Gender programs in Pakistan. In the beginning of the year stimulus package US allocated $25 million for such program. All this women right hoopla in Pakistan was initiated in Musharraf era and various foreign NGO organizations were assigned this job to promote more open space for women in the society. Social media was used and Heavy funding was utilized. They also used this to campaign to put a dent on the moral structure of our society.

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Always the Victimised

Mar 09, 2021 10:09am

Haha minister will now define Freedom of speech!

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Shahbaz Ahmed Tarar

Mar 09, 2021 10:33am

I am living in this society, i know that their are some wrongdoings with our women.. and their is no justification for this. But still I feel Pakistan is far better than other countries while we talk about respect of mother, sister, wives. Yes, of course there are some limitations for women in our society but our men pay for that too.

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PakCanuck

Mar 09, 2021 10:45am

Women in Pakistan are denied basic rights and yet we are concerned about slogans not being politically correct!

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Aadin

Mar 09, 2021 10:49am

@NK, So want to keep 50% of total population in walls of house? Women do not have right to work, to go out for shopping, etc.? Why do men have all the rights? And yes, why not suggest men to keep their eyes down when women walk on the roads?

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Suresh Chandra Nayak

Mar 09, 2021 11:11am

@Bilal, absolutely

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PrakashG

Mar 09, 2021 11:33am

Has she heard Imran Khan's container speeches?

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Anwar

Mar 09, 2021 11:34am

@NK, what's the moral structure of our society? keeping women oppressed?

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Guest2019

Mar 09, 2021 11:38am

@Bilal, Totally disagree. As far as womens rights goes, she's, right up there. From breaking plates, riding a motorbike while not knowing how to, playing cricket, welding, she breaks all stereotypes of etiquettes of females in pakistan. These 'Burger' females, for whom a chipped acrylic nail, would be a catastrophe, are going to preach about the daily trials and injustices poor and middle class women face. Pathetic!

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Engr. Ishaq Sohag

Mar 09, 2021 12:02pm

Sad to see this coming out from a women. She should support her fellow women.

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Oneliner

Mar 09, 2021 12:20pm

Freedom does not mean vulgarity. Last year's slogan was " my body my choice " was vulgar and cheap

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Ali da Malanga

Mar 09, 2021 12:20pm

These Western influenced aunties, instead of blindly copying the West, should first understand the background of slogan "my body my choice"?

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ZZQ

Mar 09, 2021 12:29pm

Good comment.

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Tariq

Mar 09, 2021 12:37pm

I think paying attention to them make no sense and let on their own and see. I think its all because we pay undue attention to them.

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Azaan

Mar 09, 2021 12:43pm

@NK, I am assuming you're not a woman. If you were one, you'd know.

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asif k

Mar 09, 2021 01:49pm

PTI still behaves as if they in opposition.

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Ibrahim S

Mar 09, 2021 05:22pm

“slogans promoted by some organisations working for women are against the values of this society.” Can you please elaborate on those values . Killing in the name of honour , Wani, gang rape, sexual harassment, underage marriage are those values .

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Pervez khan

Mar 10, 2021 09:04am

@NK, so you want the 7th-century mores to continue?

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Pervez khan

Mar 10, 2021 09:05am

@Oneliner, your body,your choice. Is that vulgar?

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Talha

Mar 10, 2021 02:20pm

@Bilal, But useful and excellent advice