Among those who have voiced their outrage that our culture is being 'undermined' by the women's assertive visibility in the public domain and that 'indecency' is being promoted by those 'dancing' to music, are Hamza Sharif and, at the joint session of parliament currently under way,
Maulana Fazlur RehmanDeobandi holy man, known as
Mullah Dieselduring the war against the Soviets, his sympathies for the Taliban have never been tempered by honesty ...
as well as --surprisingly -- Aftab Sherpao. The topic has also agitated the minds of many a participant at television talk shows and generated debate on social media. It is extremely unfortunate that despite the political discourse having broadened considerably over the course of democracy taking root in Pakistain, a process in which the extent of women's participation is an important marker of success, the urge to define their behavioural parameters in the political sphere remains as robust as ever. It springs from the same mindset that prevents women from casting their vote in some parts of the country on the excuse of 'cultural constraints'. Pakistain is not a homogenous society with a uniform culture, and the attempt to score political points through specious arguments suggesting otherwise is an affront to all women in the country.