Source: https://nayadaur.tv/
KARACHI: The past few days have been a whirlwind of politics in Pakistan and discussions about all that is happening end up as heated debates. And that is exactly what happened when the Aurat March Twitter handle voiced their political opinion which did not sit well with PTI’s Minister of Human Rights, Shireen Mazari.
The exchange began when Aurat March tweeted against Prime Minister Imran Khan having the National Assembly dissolved and wrote, “We condemn the political circus that has erupted due to the fragile masculine ego of a person who has sabotaged democratic processes just to save the perception of his individuality and to stage a dirty maneuver for his comeback to power.” They explained why they have such a staunch stance on the matter, “As activists hailing from marginalized backgrounds, any undemocratic action undertaken by the powers that be, mirroring the dictatorial patterns of a cruel past, have the capacity to deprive us of any hope for a better future where all citizens will be treated with equality and justice.”
We condemn the political circus that has erupted due to the fragile masculine ego of a person who has sabotaged democratic processes just to save the perception of his individuality and to stage a dirty manoeuvre for his comeback to power.#NoConfidenceMotion#AuratMarch2022 pic.twitter.com/Y4xccTJI6T
— Aurat March – عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) April 3, 2022
Shireen Mazari was quick to respond to the tweet sent out by Aurat March and made a few claims of her own such as where the movement gets its funding from, “This shows Aurat March has little to do with genuine issues faced by women in Pakistan and more with politics and political agendas. Since many here have NGOs funded from abroad this statement, while condemnable, is not surprising. Fact is the US sought regime change and we do not accept it.”
This shows Aurat March has little to do with genuine issues faced by women in Pak & more with politics & political agendas. Since many here have NGOs funded from abroad this statement while condemnable is not surprising. Fact is the US sought regime change & we do not accept it https://t.co/7GwhsyPYWg
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 4, 2022
Naturally, Twitter users all weighed in on the Aurat March-Shireen Mazari exchange.
Some called out Mazari for stating incorrect statements in her tweet:
Wow. Aurat March is not an NGO. It also does not accept foreign funds. How is calling for the protection of processes enshrined in Pakistan’s constitution anything to do with regime change? You have a PhD in Political Science from Columbia Uni… Your post is totally disingenuous
— Amiera Sawas (@amiera_tales) April 4, 2022
While others pointed out the hypocrisy in her stance:
Get a grip @ShireenMazari1 – you had no problem supporting Musharraf when he gave Shamsi airbase to Americans and took American aid yet you can’t hear the truth from women activists about the man who has brought the country to its knees. Shame on you! https://t.co/ofwoJtMaUH
— Ayesha Ijaz Khan (@ayeshaijazkhan) April 4, 2022
However, others felt that the tweet sent out by Aurat March had its fair share of issues:
Imperial feminism belongs to gutter. Stop using suffering & struggle of women of #Pakistan for your vested interests, sponsored by foreign governments. Hijacking democracies and sabotaging mandate of people is atrocious & it is more outrageous to support it in the name of feminism https://t.co/SOzV51nQkg
— Giulia Tofana (@giuliatofanaaa) April 4, 2022
Others wondered which political party Aurat March would side with:
I totally disagree with @AuratMarchKHI showing a political bias
You r a social movement that needs to be impartial towards political parties to get the maximum value from any and all
Will ur support for PPP and MQM in this scenario lead to any benefit for the plight of women? https://t.co/NFyhzkXnkV
— haider maqsood (@haidermaqsood2) April 4, 2022
Pakistan’s political situation remains uncertain as the political parties battle it out in court.
