Journalist Abbasi’s remarks-Need a change in attitude towards women

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan once said: “No nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men. No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men.”

Seventy-two years later, Pakistan still has a long way to go when it comes to ensuring equal rights and opportunities for half its population.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2020 report, Pakistan has consistently been placed amongst the bottom 10 countries and this year it is ranked 151 out of 153 countries.

Due to a perverted and sick mentality, Pakistan faces a critical issue with only 26 percent female participation in the workforce, one of the lowest in the region. Lack of women’s economic participation has meant a 30pc loss to GDP, with the majority of Pakistan’s educated women not joining the workforce.

Societal attitude for women

At the societal level, restricted mobility for women affects their education and work/job opportunities. Violence against women is very common in Pakistan.

It has been observed that the psychological effects of abuse are more severe than its physical effects. The incident of abuse to women’s self-esteem and puts them at a number of mental disorders like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, drug addiction, self-esteem emotional and behavioral problems.

Journalist Ansar Abbasi slammed by Pakistanis

Renowned Pakistani journalist, Ansar Abbasi became a subject of ridicule after he objected to a women’s exercise session broadcast on Pakistan Television Network.

This was especially disappointing in the sense that something like this can only be sexualized by a perverted mind and nothing something that was expected from the journalist.

The video showed a female doing a simple workout, exercise and fitness routine on television that was shared by journalist Ansar Abbasi while tagging Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman CPEC Authority Asim Bajwa and Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz.

Nothing inappropriate with the female exercising

The video which has nothing inappropriate with the female exercising in proper gym attire on PTV was shared by Ansari Abbasi as it seemed too sexual and inappropriate to the journalist.

To be fair, only someone with a perverted and sick mentality would find something inappropriate with the workout, exercise video aired on PTV especially since the female was wearing proper gym attire.

Sick mentality against women

Anyone with this thinking is too far gone and needs to seek psychological counseling to avoid further implications and may also consider cutting off from watching television or using the internet.

Not surprising that all sane people share the same view and have taken to twitter to school Ansar Abbasi for this negative mindset.

However, there are many supporting the journalist too and this shows how many people actually have such a sick mentality that they find a simple video of a woman working out on PTV as vulgar, inappropriate and sexual.

This is the tweet that has started trending on social media. In a tweet, Ansar Abbasi posted the ‘questionable content’ mentioning Prime Minister Imran Khan, Senator Shibli Faraz, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting, Asim Saleem Bajwa.

Mr PM @ImranKhanPTI this is PTV. @AsimSBajwa @shiblifaraz pic.twitter.com/hpoTxEF4TJ

— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) September 21, 2020

Social media storm

The tweet set off an interesting debate on the social networking platform. Some internet users disapproved of his comments while others supported him. A few also discussed the implications of airing the content on national television.

Many people disagreed with Abbasi and asserted that there was nothing objectionable in the program since the show was aimed at making people learn exercises to stay fit and healthy.

Rabia Anam’s advice-Ansar Abbasi’s reaction

Leading private TV host Rabia Anam Obaid advised Ansar Abbasi and said “Yes IK please see that only the Woman is working out and the man is not, it’s unhealthy. They both should work out.”

Abbasi, in his reply to Anum, commented: “I don’t want 2 respond to the troll. You have been doing Islamic shows &thus expect from u to enlighten ur followers about what Allah Almighty says in Quran. To be precise perhaps it’s Ayat 31 of Sura e Noor. Can v still justify promoting this on national TV of an Islamic country?”

I don’t want 2 respond to the troll. You have been doing Islamic shows &thus expect from u to enlighten ur followers about what Allah Almighty says in Quran. To be precise perhaps it’s Ayat 31 of Sura e Noor.Can v still justify promoting this on national TV of an Islamic country? https://t.co/evn6ovQPGt

— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) September 22, 2020

Federal minister Fawad Chaudhry remarks

Fawad Chaudhry said that Abbasi needs to consult a psychiatrist and a physician. Abbasi replied to the Chaudhry and said: “You are part of a government which claims to be rebuilding Pakistan in line with the principles of Riyasat e Madina. Can you justify what you and your likes support in the light of the teachings of Quran and Sunnah or even the Constitution of Pakistan??”

You are part of a government which claims to be rebuilding Pakistan in line with the principles of Riyasat e Madina. Can you justify what you and your likes support in the light of the teachings of Quran and Sunnah or even the constitution of Pakistan?? https://t.co/EpP1wyn607

— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) September 22, 2020

Abbasi, in his remarks over the matter this morning, said that he was not affected by the relentless trolling on social media and stood by the principles of Islam.

“If the entire world turns against me for opposing anything that is un-Islamic in our society, It will not bother me even for a moment. Instead, I am thankful to my Allah for enabling me to do this and take pride in it Alhamdulillah. May Allah give Hidaya to all of us. Ameen” wrote Abbasi in a tweet.

If the entire world turns against me for opposing anything that is in-Islamic in our society, It will not bother me even for a moment. Instead I am thankful to my Allah for enabling me to do this and take pride on it Alhamdulillah. May Allah give Hidaya to all of us. Ameen https://t.co/BVodfxx5bL

— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) September 22, 2020

This is a complex, adaptive challenge that requires curiosity, experimentation, a change in attitude and new partnerships involving the public and private sectors dedicated to advancing women’s em­­powerment and overcoming the obstacles.

The time is now and each one of us must play our part by avoiding perverted and sick thinking against sisters, daughters, and mothers.