Pakistan premier criticized for comments on sexual violence

major Minister Imran Khan confronted growing criticism at domestic on Tuesday after reputedly blaming a rise in sexual violence in Pakistan on girls donning "very few outfits."

His feedback drew nationwide condemnation from human rights activists and the country's opposition, which sought an apology. The controversial statements aired over the weekend got here in an interview on Axios, a documentary information sequence on HBO

"If a woman is donning very few clothes it is going to have an affect, it'll have an have an impact on on the guys, unless they're robots," the leading minister referred to. "I suggest it's average experience."

requested directly by interviewer Jonathan Swan no matter if the way that women gown could provoke acts of sexual violence, Khan referred to: "It depends upon which society you are living in. If in a society where individuals haven't considered that variety of factor, it is going to have an have an effect on on th em."

It became the 2d time in two months that Khan sparked outrage after suggesting that girls's attire performs a task in upsetting sexual violence in opposition t them.

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In April, in a web demonstrate on state-run Pakistan television, Khan claimed that donning a veil — the traditional head overlaying worn by using conservative Muslim girls — would give protection to girls from sexual assault.

Khan's govt has confronted criticism over its failure to curb sexual assaults on girls on account that he came into vigor through winning a simple majority in parliamentary elections in 2018.

Pakistan has been rocked via excessive-profile sexual assaults, including remaining September when a woman became gang-raped in front of her little ones after her automobile broke down on a massive freeway at night close Lahore.

Sexual harassment and violence against women isn't distinguished in Pakistan. virtually 1,000 ladies are killed in Pakistan every yr in so-called "honor killings" for allegedly violating conservative norms on love and marriage.

The weekend interview with Khan in Islamabad covered a wide range of issues, but his comments apparently linking how girls costume to sexual violence garnered by means of a long way the most attention. the former cricket star drew large criticism on social media from each civil rights corporations and popular Pakistanis.

"shame on You," Pakistani girl Frieha Altaf stated on Twitter.

Marriyum Aurrangzeb, spokeswoman for the opposition Pakistan Muslim League party, condemned Khan on Twitter for his remarks.

"the realm received an perception right into a approach of a unwell, misogynistic, degenerate & derelict IK (Imran Khan). Its not women's selections that cause sexual assault quite the decisions of men who decide to engage in this despicable and vile CRIME," she pointed out.

youngsters, feminine lawmakers from Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf part y defended the top minister, asserting his feedback had been taken out of context, devoid of elaborating.

Zartaj Gul, the minister for local weather change, noted at a information conference Tuesday "our lifestyle and our way of dressing is idealized across the world," referring to conservative norms of dressing in Pakistan.