PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah is once again in the public eye for all the wrong reasons. Sanaullah currently faces intense criticism over his questionable remarks on the women present at the PTI jalsa earlier this week. Crossing all bounds of respect and decency, the lawmaker called into question the crowd favorite concept of ” ghairat”, when criticising the women in participation at PTI’s power show. PML-N faces deep trouble over this, with Shahbaz Sharif himself apologizing for the misogynistic remarks. Imran Khan also condemned the attack on his fellow party members. Facing scrutiny from all corners, Sanaullah has himself refused to apologize for the remarks. In turn, he has challenged Imran Khan to handover his BlackBerry phone so that allegations of PTI MNA Ayesha Gulalai against PTI chief can be probed.
I will only apologize if #ImranKhan surrenders his phone over #AyeshaGulalai‘s allegations: #RanaSanaullah @PTIofficial @ImranKhanPTI @fawadchaudhry @ShireenMazari1 @ArifAlvi @pmln_org Watch #DunyaNews Live: https://t.co/WzGiFMYqsz pic.twitter.com/Wti69MXuic — Dunya News (@DunyaNews) May 2, 2018
Rana Sanaullah’s remarks have sparked a social media outrage, with several women from the public sphere coming out to condemn his comments.
Absolutely disgusting remarks by Rana Sanaullah ! Manifold. Not just that he lamely tried to mock respectable PTI women but also the analogy he used is lame – only shows a sick, misogynist mentality. He must apologise ! — Gharidah Farooqi (@GFarooqi) April 30, 2018
Will boycott interviewing Abid Sher Ali, Rana Sanaullah and all such misogynist creeps if they don’t publicly apologise. Enough is enough.
All female anchors/journos should boycott them. #RespectWomen — Rabia Anum (@RabiaAnumm) April 30, 2018
Heartening to see these female journalists using their profession to turn the tide against Sanaullah. Will there be a significant impact on Sanaullah himself if female journalists refuse to interview him? Perhaps not. But it is the step taken to resist and protest, which is appreciable to say the least.
What exactly is a “gharailu aurat”? I ask Rana Sanaullah and his party. Do you guys consider Maryam Nawaz Sharif & women members of #PMLN gharailu aurataiN? If yes, you’re more messed than I ever thought. If no, you have totally lost your own argument. Think! — Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) April 30, 2018
These tweets above address several key points. Sanaullah’s comments reek of the deep-rooted misogyny that permeates through private households and all sectors of public employment as well. They also raised the interesting point of women supporting women. Maryam Nawaz’s silence over the matter is quite loud, ironically. Shouldn’t fighting misogyny that effects all women take priority over protecting some insecure male party member? This was the time to set the precedent. If Shahbaz Sharif can apologize publicly, the least Maryam Nawaz can do is acknowledge that the comments were made in ill taste an that they won’t be tolerated at any cost.
This Twitter user points out how pervasive the problem is, with a great twist.
Explain the main differences between Rana Sanaullah and Orya Maqbool Jaan. Make sure to make a Venn Diagram where they are uniquely joined in hatred against women who are not hidden in four walls. [15 marks] — Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) April 30, 2018
Considering the CIE’s are upon students countrywide, this tweet is rather witty in its content. Students with even an inkling of logical reasoning will be able to ace this hypothetical question. After all, there is great material to fill sheets with.
In a midst of tweets lambasting Sanaullah, the following interesting revelation surfaced as well:
Rana Sanaullah was kicked out of PPP by Sh Benzair when he Had Vulgar comments on @MaryamNSharif . Now again he shows how Cheap and Retarded he is. Lets See if Maryam And Shehbaz have the Guts to Kick him out. Unfortunately he is Their CM Punjab in Waiting. — Aitzaz Ahsan (@SenatorAitzaz) April 30, 2018
Indeed, let’s wait and see if PML-N’s leadership has the same guts to rid their party of such intolerable people. Meanwhile, PTI has formally taken up the matter in Punjab Assembly. The party has called upon the Assembly to enforce his removal from his post immediately. And rightly so, women participating in politics is a fresh change.
Our women are our pride. They are more educated than most former Law Ministers & only come out for better future for their kids.
Calling out our women, tweet a picture/testimonial from a PTI Jalsa using hashtag #PTIForWomenEmpowerment & show Rana Sanaullah, you’re not scared! pic.twitter.com/bfVG3FgsPa — Tehreek-e-Insaf (@InsafPK) April 30, 2018
Power to PTI women for making it to international headlines; Pakistani women are bold & they occupy their own spaces. The abuse hurled their way by PMLN Male leadership is downright misogynist. Tagging women’s rights activists here who r still silent; is this the Pakistan u want? pic.twitter.com/zFGcggE8y8 — PTI (@PTIofficial) April 30, 2018
Whether you agree with PTI’s policies or not, it must be acknowledged that a greater political presence for women has been realized under the party’s ideology. Where women once were afraid to enter male-dominated spaces such as political rallies, they now stand at the forefront demanding a better socio-economic position for themselves. Participation by women from the general masses that is and not just the daughters of politicians such as Zulfiqar Bhutto or Nawaz Sharif. While power at the leadership level is also a feat for women, it is the involvement of all other women from various walks of life that is the true achievement. It is the women’s achievement themselves, not one bestowed upon them by men. All men have to do is respect their right to that public space. And other women have to stand in solidarity against such misogynistic rottenness, no matter the political affiliation.