Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif has faced criticism on social media over a gesture he made while responding to an Afghan woman journalist who questioned him about Pakistan’s ties with the Taliban and its position on the treatment of Afghan women.
Journalist Questions Pakistan’s Role in Taliban’s Treatment of Women
“What’s your message to the Taliban now? To change their policy towards Afghan women? Why at the beginning, Pakistan didn’t teach them that?” a journalist asked during a recent exchange, as captured in a video circulating on social media. In response, Asif, the Pakistani official, interrupted her without directly addressing the inquiry. He gestured towards her clothing, warning, “Don’t go back like this over there. They will… otherwise they will…” while making a motion across his neck, implying a serious consequence for her attire.
Four Afghans Killed in Recent Violence, Says Government Spokesperson
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan government, confirmed that four Afghans were killed in what he termed the latest instance of “criminal aggression.” He condemned these attacks as “blind and cowardly,” characterizing them as a serious violation of principles and a blatant act of aggression. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan expressed its strong disapproval, labeling the incident a crime against the Afghan people.
Pakistan on early Thursday carried out what it described as precision aerial and drone strikes at 10 locations across Afghanistan. Information Minister Atauallah Tarar said the strikes were conducted in response to drones launched from Afghanistan a day earlier.
They said the journalist had raised a serious question about the Taliban’s policies towards Afghan women and Pakistan’s position on them. Tarar said the targets were locations allegedly used to launch and store drones, according to Dawn. He described the strikes as “deliberate, precise, calibrated and proportionate and strictly limited to identified military objectives directly linked to the attempted attacks against Pakistan”.
Users also criticised Asif and the men beside him for laughing after his remarks.
