Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Shazia Marri has criticised Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over his controversial remarks about female parliamentarians during a heated session of the National Assembly.
Marri described the minister’s comments as inappropriate and regrettable, stressing that elected representatives must maintain respect for women regardless of their political affiliations.
The controversy emerged during a parliamentary exchange involving Khawaja Asif and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Speaking during the National Assembly session on Friday, October 30, Marri said offensive language directed towards women lawmakers should not be acceptable inside Parliament.
She also emphasised that female parliamentarians deserve respect and that political disagreements should never become an excuse for making inappropriate remarks about women.
According to reports, female lawmakers from JUI-F had approached PPP representatives to express their concerns over the defence minister’s comments.
Marri said her party recognised their concerns and believed the issue needed to be addressed publicly.
The controversy began after Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticised Khawaja Asif over his absence from high-level discussions held in Tehran.
The JUI-F chief questioned why the defence minister was not present in Iran while important diplomatic discussions were taking place.
Responding to the criticism, Asif clarified that the Tehran discussions were not related to a defence agreement and that his presence had not been necessary.
The defence minister also questioned Fazlur Rehman’s political record and his role in previous governments.
During the exchange, Asif made remarks about the JUI-F leader’s reliance on female lawmakers, which subsequently attracted criticism from women parliamentarians.
Opposition lawmakers interrupted the minister’s speech, leading to further tension inside the National Assembly.
Shazia Marri’s response brought attention to the importance of maintaining respectful language during parliamentary proceedings.
She maintained that women should not face inappropriate comments while performing their responsibilities as elected representatives.
The latest controversy has also revived discussion about previous incidents involving Khawaja Asif and his remarks about women politicians.
In July 2023, the defence minister faced criticism after making controversial comments about female PTI parliamentarians during a joint parliamentary session.
At that time, he later defended his position, saying his remarks were not directed at any particular gender.
The latest exchange has once again placed parliamentary conduct and the treatment of female lawmakers under public scrutiny.
The incident highlights the need for political representatives to maintain professional standards and respect different opinions during parliamentary debates.
Meanwhile, tensions between the government and JUI-F leadership continue over political matters, foreign policy and the recent Tehran discussions.
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Further statements from Khawaja Asif, Shazia Marri and other parliamentary representatives may provide additional clarity on the controversy.
