Bound To Be Harassed: Imran Khan Slammed For Derogatory Comment About Journalist

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan made a derogatory comment about journalist Gharida Farooqi. The former prime minister of Pakistan said that when the female journalist would “invade” male-dominated spaces, they would be harassed.

Khan made the comment during a conversation with delegations of the National Press Club and Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists. He was responding to a question regarding female journalists in the country being harassed at the PTI’s rallies.

Khan responded that he would issue special instructions for his supporters regarding the matter. He also targeted journalist Farooqui and said, “If she would invade male-dominated spaces, then she is bound to be harassed”.

Journalist Anwar Raza quoted Khan as saying, “Gharida grabs the mic and forces her way through men which makes it equivalent to aa bail mujhe maar (inviting trouble). Tell me what can I do in such a situation.”

Later, Khan defended himself and said he would issue special orders regarding the safety concerns of female journalists.

Gharidah Farooqi is a television host and anchor person who has worked with PTV Home, Geo News, Dunya TV, and ATV (Pakistan). She is the Senior Anchor Person at Express News and hosted the current affairs television program G for Gharidah.

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Imran Khan Slammed

Khan’s comments were widely condemned by politicians and journalists. Geo’s Benazir Shah said, “A former prime minister of Pakistan, whose previous tenure saw unprecedented attacks against women journalists on social media, strongly believes that women journalists should not report and that women should not be in public spaces”.

Journalist Munizae Jahangir described his comment as a “disgusting statement from a leader who is supported by so many women votes”. Jahangir added that his comment was an “incitement to violence”.

Journalist Zebunnisa Burki said, “Truly salute women journalists in the country for continuing to work amid such misogyny.”

Politician, member of the National Assembly, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also slammed Khan for his comments. She said that not even national interests, institutions, and martyrs were safe from Khan’s “slander campaign”.