The Federal Minister for Religious and Minority Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri has called the Prime Minister Imran Khan to place a ban on Aurat March on the grounds that it was “mocking Islamic values and rituals”. In a letter addressed to the PM, the Minister proposed that 8th March which is celebrated around the world as International Women’s Day, the country should instead observe “Hijab Day”.
Pakistan People’s Party Senator Sherry Rehman shared the letter on her Twitter account and criticized the Minister Noorul Haq for his sexist perspective. In a tweet, she questioned the basis on which the government minister is proposing this ban as it seeks emancipation of women from all classes
“What are you going to prove by banning Aurat March? No one has banned women from wearing a hijab in this country. On one hand, we are against the sexist attitude of India, but the same demeaning attitude towards women can be seen here. International Women’s Day seeks to help women from all classes by raising awareness on prejudices women face. You are conspiring to deprive women of their freedom and rights on International Women’s Day.”
وفاقی وزیربرائے مذہبی امور نورالحق قادری کا 8 مارچ کو عورت مارچ پر پابندی عائد کرنے متعلق وزیراعظم کو خط قابل تشویش ہے۔ وفاقی وزیر کی طرف سے اس طرح کی بات حیران کن ہے۔ 8 مارچ عالمی سطح پر عورتوں کا دن منایا جاتا ہے۔ آپ نہتی عورتوں کے مارچ پر پابندی لگا کر کیا کیا ثابت کرے گے؟1/3 pic.twitter.com/sy3LLxlHUd
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) February 17, 2022
