In a stunning turn of events, Pakistan’s three-time Prime Minister and PML-N leader, Nawaz Sharif, has reemerged on the political scene after a self-imposed exile lasting four years. Sharif’s return to the forefront of Pakistani politics has ignited a wave of both enthusiasm and controversy.
Addressing a massive crowd at Minar-e-Pakistan, Sharif attempted to unify various political factions, but his speech took an unexpected turn. He singled out PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) women, suggesting that they were responsible for energizing the rallies led by the incarcerated former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, who has been behind bars for over two months.
Sharif drew a stark comparison between his own party workers and PTI supporters, noting that PML-N’s female workers listened quietly, in contrast to the spirited dancers at PTI’s gatherings. This remark sent shockwaves through social media, leading to a wide range of reactions and discussions.
Bohat khoob! Aik baar phir Nawaz Sharif, PML-N ke sarbarah ne siyasi mukhalifat mein khawateen ki siyasi sargarmiyon pe sasti juggat ki. Unhon ne abhi tak yeh nahi seekha ke khawateen ko 'achi' aurat aur 'buri' aurat mein taqseem karna pathron ke zamanay ka tareeqa-e-kar hai. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/c947nAGSvO— Aurat March – عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) October 22, 2023
The clip of Sharif’s comments quickly went viral, sparking intense debate among social media users. However, it was not just online conversations that his comments ignited. The organizers of the annual Aurat March in Karachi expressed their disapproval of Nawaz Sharif’s remarks. The official Aurat March social media handle criticized him for taking what they called a ‘cheap shot’ at the involvement of women in political activities.
Naach gaanay ka shauq rakhnay se aurat ya kisi bhi insaan ke zaati kirdaar pe sawaal uthana intehayi ghatiya harkat hai. Humara unko mashwara hai ke woh aurat-dushmani (misogyny) ke ghaar se bahar niklein aur apnay khayalaat ko sooraj ki roshni dikhaein. 2/3— Aurat March – عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) October 22, 2023
They argued that dividing women into categories of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ based on their participation in dancing was an outdated and regressive practice. The comments made by Sharif about women’s character and their enthusiasm for dancing were met with strong condemnation and labeled as disgraceful.
Nawaz Sharif’s return to the political landscape in Pakistan has undeniably added a layer of complexity to the country’s political dynamics, while also serving as a catalyst for an essential dialogue on gender equality and women’s rights in the realm of politics.