Shahbaz Sharif apologises for Rana Sanaullah's misogynistic remarks

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) president and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday apologised for the disparaging remarks by Punjab Law Rana Sanaullah on women attending the rally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Lahore.

The PML-N president released a statement on social media site Twitter, apologising for any offensive remarks made by party leaders.

“PMLN acknowledes and encourages the role of women in national politics. Any statement demeaning them is highly irresponsible.

“We have to maintain decency and element of respect in political discourse. I apologise for anti-women remarks made by some party leaders,” he stated.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Monday issued deeply offensive statements saying that women who attending the PTI rally at the Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore were indecent as seen by their gestures.

PMLN acknowledes and encourages the role of women in national politics. Any statement demeaning them is highly irresponsible. We have to maintain decency and element of respect in political discourse. I apologise for anti-women remarks made by some party leaders.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 1, 2018

Rana Sanaullah also raised ‘concerns’ over the ‘character’ of women supporters of the PTI.

“The women who attended the rally were not from honourable families because their dance moves implied where they had actually come from.”

The vile and misogynist statements sparked fury and condemnation from the PTI who called for the PML-N to apologise for his actions.

PTI chairman Imran Khan also issued a statement strongly condemning the statements. “In the past 30 yrs these people have always disrespected women which is against our religion & culture. I want to thank our women for coming out in such huge numbers!”

Rana Sanaullah and his fellow cohorts reflect the mindset of the Sharifs & how they look down on women. Scratch the surface and their real face emerges. https://t.co/PAptflmHM9

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 30, 2018

PTI leader Shireen Mazari also condemned the language, adding that PTI could respond but will not stoop to their level, while PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi also condemned the comments.

Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir-Khan also condemned the remarks on Twitter, while the Punjab government appeared to distance itself from the controversial remarks.

So PMLN guttersnipes have come out showing their gutter origins by using filthy lang ag PTI women – from Abid Sher Ali to Talal Ch to Rana Sanaullah & in footsteps of Kh Asif! Can respond in kind abt PMLN women but will not stoop to gutter level! Let them wallow in their filth

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 30, 2018

I strongly condemn the disgraceful and disgusting statements of Rana Sanaullah & Abid Sher Ali against PTI women. The party is proud of it’s women. They are the flag bearers of our movement and a source of inspiration for all of us.

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) April 30, 2018

Disrespectful remarks about women are reprehensible, regardless of who utters them.

— Khurram Dastgir-Khan (@kdastgirkhan) May 1, 2018