Khawaja Asif refuses to apologise over sexist remarks

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has refused to apologise for his sexist remarks directed at female parliamentarians belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf claiming his remarks were not gender-specific.

“I did not make any remark against the women. There were male parliamentarians sitting over there but they didn’t see that these remarks were for them as well,” he said.

The minister continued by saying that the remarks were directed collectively at the entire opposition.

He stated that he would consider offering an apology if the PTI leadership also extend their apology to Maryam Nawaz and Faryal Talpur for their remarks.

Read more: Female journalists condemn Khawaja Asif’s misogynistic remarks

“Depraved women should not lecture on chastity,” Asif had said on the floor of the house on Tuesday.

He had  further said that the PTI chief was hiding behind female members of the party to avoid arrest.

“They [women of the PTI] are leftover ruins. They are leftover waste. [PTI’s] garbage is left over which needs to be cleaned,” Asif remarked.

Read more: Senate approves Army Act Amendment Bill 2023

Asif’s sexist remarks sparked a flurry of criticism from different sections of society.

Moreover, Asif today presented the Army Act Amendment Bill 2023, in the Senate, which was approved by majority.

According to the amendment, any army official making revelations detrimental to the armed forces will be penalised under the Official Secrets Act and Army Act barred those who reveal sensitive information with the permission of the army chief or an authorised officer.