ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Saturday formed a special committee to probe the issue of “misogynistic” remarks made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MP Iqbal Afridi during a standing committee meeting the previous day.
During a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Energy on Friday, MP Afridi objected to the attire of a power company representative and called for respect for the modest dress code followed by female lawmakers.
The National Assembly committee chaired by Mohammad Idris expressed its disapproval, saying: “Mr. President, the woman’s attire is inappropriate. There should be a standard operating procedure for the dress code in the National Assembly committee.”
However, the PTI lawmaker received a stern rebuke from members of other ruling parties and attendees present at the session, including Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman and Sindh government spokesperson Advocate Arsalan Islam Shaikh.
Sherry condemned Afridi’s objection to the woman’s attire. “The objection raised by Iqbal Afridi to the woman’s attire in the committee meeting is strongly condemnable. The woman earned her place in that room through her competence and skills, which should have been respected by all members of the committee. Women should be evaluated based on their ideas and contributions, not their appearance,” she said in response to Afridi’s comments.
“The President of the National Assembly should also demand an apology from him. This behaviour is totally unacceptable at all levels,” he added.
A statement issued today said the National Assembly Speaker took note of Afridi's comments and expressed his displeasure at his act.
An investigative committee has been formed to uncover facts related to the incident.
The committee headed by Federal Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar comprises Naveed Qamar, Amin ul Haque, Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari.
The committee will have the authority to include five female members from parliamentary parties, the statement said, adding that the committee must submit a report to the president within 15 days.
