THE symbolism in Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar being tasked with visiting the world’s most misogynistic regime, the Afghan Taliban, for talks was potent. In a country where women have been forced to disappear from public life, Pakistan — which itself does not have a stellar global reputation for gender equality — was being represented by a woman at the highest levels of government. It was a PR triumph — except for those who can only see the world through a sexist lens. On Monday, the lone JI member of the National Assembly, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali proved his affinity with the latter. During a discussion on the Chaman border clash, Mr Chitrali expressed his reservations over the government’s decision to send Ms Khar to Kabul, saying it had perhaps had a negative effect on the Afghan regime. Several lawmakers, mostly from the PPP and PML-N, berated the MNA for his remark, after which he agreed to withdraw it and tendered an apology.

Unfortunately, far too many share this myopic worldview. That is why a firm put-down was needed, and given. There must be no latitude for words that objectify and demean women. And legislators across the board must consider this a red line, even in today’s toxic political culture, and set the right precedent for society. Instead, several party leaders appear to see such reprehensible language as part of their political arsenal. Maulana Fazlur Rehman is a frequent offender, with PTI’s enthusiastic women supporters in particular throwing him into a moral panic several times, most recently about a fortnight ago. But Imran Khan, who has robustly called out the maulana’s sexist musings against his party’s female cadres more than once, himself made a highly offensive remark about Maryam Nawaz in a speech some months ago. No one from his party, not even the women lawmakers, uttered a word of reproach. If things are to change, an attack on one woman must be considered an attack on all women.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2022