Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nabil Gabol received flak from political leaders, human right activists, celebrities and netizens for his sexist and misogynist remarks during a podcast show.
“There is a saying English: if rape is imminent, just enjoy it,” the PPP leader was heard saying while talking in a viral video clip in which he was talking about sexual abuse at one stage of the programme.
Netizens called him out a person with “sick” and “filthy” mindset, while Human rights activist and lawyer Nighat Dad, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, author Fatima Bhutto and artist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto described his statement “repulsive”.
“Deeply troubling and unacceptable for politicians like Nabeel Gabol to make light of rape. Such behavior is not only insensitive and offensive but also perpetuates harmful and dangerous attitudes towards sexual violence,” said Human rights activist and lawyer Nighat Dad while sharing the video clip.
She said it was imperative for political parties that politicians who held positions of power and influence, were held to the highest standards of accountability and responsibility for their words and actions.
“This guy has already said disgusting things in two interviews,” Nighat Dad said while sharing clips of other programmes in which he made same sort of remarks.
Deeply troubling and unacceptable for politicians like Nabeel Gabol to make light of rape. Such behavior is not only insensitive and offensive but also perpetuates harmful and dangerous attitudes towards sexual violence. @PPP_Org @BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/01Z5GCfSWc
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) April 2, 2023
“His (repulsive) rhetoric belongs to his individual only & is in noway a representation of our party. In case it wasn’t already abundantly obvious- we absolutely & unequivocally stand for the rights & protection of women. Misogyny has no space in our religion nor our party,” said Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari in a tweet.
His (repulsive) rhetoric belongs to his individual only & is in noway a representation of our party. Incase it wasn’t already abundantly obvious- we absolutely & unequivocally stand for the rights & protection of women. Misogyny has no space in our religion nor our party. https://t.co/aFsDF8DjXA
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) April 3, 2023
Fatima Bhutto, an author of a book, termed the remarked “utter filth”.
She said Nabil Gabol exposed the absolute criminal mindset of Sindh’s government. “He has done nothing for Lyari, for the people he supposedly represents, and laughs while talking of such violence. Horrendous,” she tweeted.
Utter filth. Nabil Gabol exposes the absolute criminal mindset of Sindh’s government. He has done nothing for Lyari, for the people he supposedly represents, and laughs while talking of such violence. Horrendous. https://t.co/rlRwiNoO6P
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) April 3, 2023
Munib Qadir, a netizen tweeted: “Could someone please tell me this politician’s name (the one being interviewed?) He’s from PPP. Whoever he is, he’s got the sickest mind ever. He just said ‘When rape is imminent, just enjoy it’. What a sick, sick mind. If people like him ended up making our policies & laws, rape wouldn’t even be deemed to be a crime. Never heard as filthy a remark as this one.”
