Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has faced criticism in the National Assembly after PPP MNA Shazia Marri condemned his remarks about women during a parliamentary speech, urging lawmakers to avoid making such comments about female colleagues or any woman in Pakistan.

Asif had accused JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman of hiding behind female lawmakers during a heated exchange in the National Assembly. Marri subsequently raised the issue on the floor of the House, calling his remarks inappropriate and regrettable.

Speaking on a point of order during Friday’s session, Marri said the defence minister had crossed a line with his comments while delivering a speech the previous day.

What Shazia Marri Said

Marri said the remarks deserved public condemnation regardless of which political party or side of the House they came from.

She told lawmakers that Asif had made “very inappropriate remarks regarding women” during his speech and said she condemned the comments.

She further urged members of the National Assembly to show respect towards female parliamentarians and women across the country.

Marri also disclosed that female JUI-F lawmakers had approached the PPP over the issue, adding that her party had also considered it necessary to raise the matter in the House.

What Sparked the Controversy

The controversy followed a heated exchange between Khawaja Asif and Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the National Assembly on Thursday.

Fazlur Rehman had earlier mocked Asif for remaining at home while high-level discussions were taking place in Tehran, apparently questioning his role in the diplomatic developments.

Responding to the criticism, Asif clarified that no defence agreement was being negotiated in Tehran and defended his decision to remain at home. He also launched a broader criticism of Fazlur Rehman’s political conduct, accusing him of using female lawmakers as a shield.

The remarks subsequently drew criticism from Shazia Marri, who said political disagreements should not become an excuse for inappropriate comments about women.

This is not the first time Asif has faced objections over his remarks about women in Parliament. In 2023, female parliamentarians staged a strong protest over comments he made about women during a joint session.

The latest controversy comes amid escalating political tensions between the government and JUI-F. Asif has also recently reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to defending Saudi Arabia under the mutual defence agreement between the two countries.