PM Imran’s ‘sahiba’ comment sends a message that being a women is an insult: Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday said Prime Minister Imran Khan is "only insulting himself" when he passes comments such as 'sahiba'.

Speaking to the media outside the Parliament House, Bilawal said, "Referring to a man as a woman does not harm the man but what sort of message does this send to the women of Pakistan? That our prime minister is saying that being a women is an insult?"

"This is Pakistan and here women stand shoulder to shoulder with men. If there was no Fatima Jinnah would Pakistan be formed? If there was no Fatima Jinnah who would oppose Ayub?" Bilawal asked.

We were the first Muslim country to elect a women prime minister, the PPP chairman continued. "We are proud of the women of this country. We think they should be given space in politics, economy and society," he added.

"If Khan Sahab thinks passing a comment like this he is insulting anyone, he is only insulting himself," Bilawal asserted. "He is this country’s prime minister and he should hold his tongue."

Commenting on statements that the premier referring to him as "sahiba" was a "slip of tongue", Bilawal said, “The amount of slip of tongues by this prime minister is more than the speed of light.”

PM Imran lashes out at Bilawal in Waziristan, calls him ‘sahiba’

The premier said that no looter will receive a pardon or an NRO

"Slip of tongues should not happen because it insults the entire nation. So many slips of tongue happen when we have a selected PM," he further said and appealed to "Foreign Minister Qureshi to travel with the prime minister so such slip of the tongues can be avoided".

Regarding the current economic situation, Bilawal said, "People are drowning in a tsunami of inflation. In every industry there is unemployment. Inflation has risen so much that life has become difficult for Pakistanis."

"How can this government say inflation is not an issue? Inflation is worrisome for every Pakistani and it is the government's job to provide relief to people," he stated.

Bilawal questioned, "Why should we be happy if loans are leading to prices being raised? Can the poor people be given amnesty and relief? The government will eliminate subsidies to provide relief to the rich."

"If there is no relief for the people in the budget, they will come out on the streets themselves," the PPP chairman warned. 

"There cannot be two Pakistans in this country. These are oppressive rulers and do not care for the people. The nation can take your oppression till a limit," he added. 

Further criticising the government, Bilawal said, "The party which was known for its use of social media can now not tolerate a tweet from a political party or a  journalist."

Bilawal warns against presidential system

In response to a question, Bilawal said, "We did not accept one-unit system before and won't accept it today either."

"If attempts are made to bring in one-unit system or presidential system then I am warning you, the country will be split," he stated. 

"The government should do its work and stop politics of containers and rallies," Bilawal said.