In an interview with Axion, HBO on Sunday, the Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan: Imran Khan, while referring to the rising rape cases in the country, said that if a woman wears fewer clothes, it will have an impact on men.
During the interview, which was released on Monday, the premier spoke over multitudes of issues ranging from military bases; the Afghan peace process, and Pakistan's counteractive strategy towards the coronavirus pandemic.
However, his statements over women's dressing and temptation received overwhelming attention and criticism on social media.
Referring to the prime minister's earlier remarks on rising vulgarity in the country that had triggered a backlash on social media, Swan asked:
"On increasing vulgarity, you said it will have consequences, and you were accused of rape victim-blaming. How do you respond to that?"
Defending the criticism against himself, the prime minister responded, "it is such nonsense".
He said, "I never said veils: this was never said. I said the concept of pardah is [to] avoid temptation in society. We don't have discos here, we don't have nightclubs.”
"So this is a completely different society, a way of life here. So, if you raise temptation in the society to the point, and all these young guys have nowhere to go, it has consequences on the society," he added.
Swan asked, "Do you think what women wear--that, that's part of any temptation?"
"If a woman is wearing very few clothes, it will have an impact on men," said the PM. "Unless they're robots. I mean, it's common sense."
"Yes, but will it really provoke acts of sexual violence?" asked Swan.
"It depends which society you live in," said the premier. "If in a society, people haven't seen that sort of a thing, it will have an impact on them," he added.
Various leaders of Pakistani political forefront and professionals belonging from various walks of life have given their perspectives over the prime minister’s statements.
Taking it to twitter, Shireen Rehman said:
Whether it’s our laws or even our religion,which is very clear that respect for women is the responsibility of the beholder,no man has the right to blame women or how they dress, for violence, rape and crimes against women. Shocked that our PM is doing this.1/2 pic.twitter.com/CB9kUE36sx
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) June 21, 2021
Does IK not know that by saying women should dress a certain way, he is giving oppressors and criminals against women a new narrative to justify their behaviour. There is NO justification for a prime minister to talk this way. Highly irresponsible and condemnable. 2/2
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) June 21, 2021
Reema Omer the famous human rights activist and Lahore-based lawyer stated:
Disappointing and frankly sickening to see PM Imran Khan repeat his victim blaming regarding reasons for sexual violence in Pakistan
— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) June 20, 2021
Men are not “robots”, he says. If they see women in skimpy clothes, they will get “tempted” and some will resort to rape
Shameful!
