KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has once again drawn intense criticism after he reiterated that a rise in sexual assault cases was linked to how women dress.
In an interview on HBO, interviewer Jonathan Swan asks if the PM thinks what women wear has any effect on the temptation that leads to rapes. To which, PM Khan said, “If a woman is wearing very few clothes, it will have an impact on the men, unless they’re robots. I mean it is common sense.”
Anchorperson: You were accused of rape victim blaming, how do you respond to that?
PM Imran Khan: It is #SuchNonsense
PM talked about different societies having different norms #PMIKonHBOMax pic.twitter.com/tOSgs1AuOc
— PTI USA Official (@PTIOfficialUSA) June 21, 2021
Swan further asked, “But is it really going to provoke acts of sexual violence?” Maintaining his stance, Khan proceeds to elaborate, “It depends on which society you live in.”
“If in a society people haven’t seen that sort of thing, it will have an impact on them. Growing up in a society like yours, maybe it won’t impact you. This cultural imperialism, whatever is in our culture must be acceptable to everyone else,” he added.
Soon after the video went viral, social media users called out the premier for ‘victim blaming’ while others are defending him.
To matlab bachay bhi aurton ke kapron kee wajah se rape ho rahay hain?
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) June 21, 2021
Only 3 days after a child was raped by a cleric, Imran Khan chooses to blame “few clothes” worn by women for rape culture.
Its not a slip of tongue. Such victim blaming is a consistent position held by IK since the motorway incident last year. Our PM is a rape apologist.
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) June 21, 2021
By this logic, the children in madrissas must have the most provocative dressing for them to get abused, molested and raped by the ‘religious figures’ who aren’t robots hence their monstrous acts being justified by our PM. Wow. https://t.co/YlaqNjreOE
— None of your business (@sadusertweets) June 21, 2021
how are men not offended when someone says that men are inherently potential rapists? do men lack agency and mental capacity to practice self-control? https://t.co/yKcMQUMeEJ
— Maryam (@maryamful) June 21, 2021
However, some feel Imran Khan blamed the society we live in and not its women. And are, therefore, in agreement with what he said.
cant believe I am defending imran khan but what he said is true..u dont live in an ideal society. its always smart to adjust according to the society..
— ProudCommunist (@CommunistVik) June 21, 2021
Nidhi I have very high regard for u. But I do agree with what he has said. Wearing short clothes in a conservative society does have its ramifications. Men get aroused.
— Gauraf’ ???????? (@SmotherWithKiss) June 21, 2021
