KARACHI: He calls himself “Pakistan’s biggest feminist”, but soap-opera writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar sparked a national row this week after he hurled abuse at a women’s rights activist on live television. Qamar’s tirade targeting activist Marvi Sirmed quickly went viral, highlighting Pakistan’s acrimonious conversation around women’s rights and cultural values. While appearing on a television panel to discuss the upcoming Aurat (women’s) march, Qamar took aim at its slogan, “My body, my choice”. He told Sirmed that “no one would even spit on your body” — adding she was a “cheap woman” who should “shut up”. Women have long fought for basic rights in Pakistan, where activists often face harassment and threats for the work they do.

Source: Pakistan Today March 07, 2020 10:52 UTC