Karachi: Misogynist remarks are unacceptable in every single aspect. Rape is not about kidding rather a sensitive mattee. A video of PPP politician Nabil Gabol’s inane remarks about rape have resurfaced and irked Twitterati. In the video, he used the example of rape to talk about being overpowered by the opposition and said some seriously disturbing things like “when rape is imminent, just enjoy it”.

His (repulsive) rhetoric belongs to his individual only & is in noway a representation of our party. Incase it wasn’t already abundantly obvious- we absolutely & unequivocally stand for the rights & protection of women. Misogyny has no space in our religion nor our party. https://t.co/aFsDF8DjXA

— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) April 3, 2023

Human rights activist and lawyer Nighat Dad, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, author Fatima Bhutto and artist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto took to Twitter to voice their disgust, calling the rhetoric “repulsive” and “sick”.

Utter filth. Nabil Gabol exposes the absolute criminal mindset of Sindh’s government. He has done nothing for Lyari, for the people he supposedly represents, and laughs while talking of such violence. Horrendous. https://t.co/rlRwiNoO6P

— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) April 3, 2023

 Yesterday, Dad shared the clip on Twitter captioned, “Deeply troubling and unacceptable for politicians like Nabil Gabol to make light of rape. Such behavior is not only insensitive and offensive but also perpetuates harmful and dangerous attitudes towards sexual violence.” A podcast interview by Shehzad Ghias shared on January 2. In it, the duo delves into many subtopics under Pakistani politics. In a section labelled ‘Discussing MQM’, the host asks, “Isn’t this also an issue — we badmouth politicians but turn them into an asset when we’re in need. When we don’t need them anymore, operations against them start the way we saw in Musharraf’s time, for a long while, the people who were excused were the same ones who had operations conducted against them. No one raised their voice or protested.”

Deeply troubling and unacceptable for politicians like Nabeel Gabol to make light of rape. Such behavior is not only insensitive and offensive but also perpetuates harmful and dangerous attitudes towards sexual violence. @PPP_Org @BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/01Z5GCfSWc

— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) April 2, 2023

In response, Gabol said he would like to use an example that is a saying in English. “When rape is imminent, just enjoy it,” he said. Ghias told him there was no such saying but the politician insisted that there was. “If you do not have any other option but to take it, if you have the power to bear it then just enjoy it,” he continued.

“But if you have honour, then stand up against it. We have borne this which is why they use us. How? Just think that someone is forcing themselves on you, okay this is happening but you should at least stand up front of them and raise your voice. The most they can do is put you in jail.” “It is imperative for political parties that politicians who hold positions of power and influence are held to the highest standards of accountability and responsibility for their words and actions.

This guy has already said disgusting things in two interviews,” Dad said, attaching a clip from another interview.

In case there is any doubt, the PPP does not support or endorse misogynistic comments by Nabil Gabol or any other member of the party. Such mindsets are condemnable. PPP has stood for women’s empowerment and remains the only consistently progressive party in Pakistan.

— Anny Marri (@Anny_Marri) April 2, 2023

PPP Senator Anny Marri distanced his opinions from their party’s and said there is no place for misogyny in PPP. Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari also echoed Marri’s words and wrote, “His (repulsive) rhetoric belongs to his individual only and is in no way a representation of our party. In case it wasn’t already abundantly obvious — we absolutely and unequivocally stand for the rights and protection of women.”

Fatima called his words “utter filth” and said, “Nabil Gabol exposes the absolute criminal mindset of Sindh’s government. He has done nothing for Lyari, for the people he supposedly represents and laughs while talking of such violence. Horrendous.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 04 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.