A video circulating on social media triggered backlash, in which PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry passed some inappropriate comments about Special Assistant to the PM on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan.
"This is the kind of Change ... if Baji Firdous Ashiq Awan got her face washed, the way her real looks would emerge from behind her makeup... she would appear as Firdous Khan instead. This is also the real face of this Change,” said Talal while commenting on the PTI government’s performance.
Talal intended to criticise Firdous’ looks by comparing her to a man, the implication being that anything other than a narrow definition of femininity is abhorrent.
He, however, apologised on Twitter soon after the backlash started, writing that his intention was never to degrade anyone and "if what I said was inappropriate, then I'm sorry about that."
Although he has apologised, Talal’s remarks represented the misogyny rampant in our society. But the positive thing is there were many who criticised him over the episode.
Interestingly, just a few days ago, people made sexist jokes linking Maryam Nawaz – Talal’s party leader – to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who had hosted an iftar for the opposition leaders.
And there were people who pointed this out.
It appears that the practice of demeaning female public figures is the only belief that unites people across party lines.
"This is the kind of Change ... if Baji Firdous Ashiq Awan got her face washed, the way her real looks would emerge from behind her makeup... she would appear as Firdous Khan instead. This is also the real face of this Change,” said Talal while commenting on the PTI government’s performance.
Talal intended to criticise Firdous’ looks by comparing her to a man, the implication being that anything other than a narrow definition of femininity is abhorrent.
He, however, apologised on Twitter soon after the backlash started, writing that his intention was never to degrade anyone and "if what I said was inappropriate, then I'm sorry about that."
Although he has apologised, Talal’s remarks represented the misogyny rampant in our society. But the positive thing is there were many who criticised him over the episode.
Interestingly, just a few days ago, people made sexist jokes linking Maryam Nawaz – Talal’s party leader – to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who had hosted an iftar for the opposition leaders.
And there were people who pointed this out.
It appears that the practice of demeaning female public figures is the only belief that unites people across party lines.