Shahzeb Khanzada points out all that is wrong with PM Imran calling Bilawal 'sahiba'

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The title sahiba isn’t derogatory but the attempt to use it as an insult is, says senior anchorperson. Photo: Geo News screengrab
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Geo News host Shahzeb Khanzada criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan for calling Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari "sahiba" while addressing a gathering in Wana.

During his show, Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, which was aired Wednesday night, the senior anchorperson said that while the Opposition normally holds rallies to raise its concerns and criticise the government it is using the platform of Parliament and PM Imran is addressing rallies to criticise and respond. The opposite of what normally happens is happening, he stated.

Criticising the premier for not living up to what he had promised after the elections of responding to questions twice a month in the Parliament, Shahzeb said, Responses to what is said in the Parliament are given in rallies and the language used for these responses is not appropriate for the Parliament or rallies.[The language] is not appropriate for the country's prime minister or anyone.

PM Imran called the chairman of the opposition party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari "sahiba" and then Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives defended it, Shahzeb said.

"We had hoped that this would be a slip of tongue like many things in the past but neither Imran Khan nor his party has said anything in this regard," he added.

"It is clear that Imran Khan knew what he was saying as he called Bilawal "sahiba", then paused and moved on after the crowd clapped," Shahzeb continued.

Stating that "if Imran Khan wanted to criticise Bilawal, he should have he is his political opponent", but the anchorperson criticised the premier for using the word "sahiba".

Shahzeb pointed out that this is a "mentality" which thinks that if you refer to a man as a woman it shows him as weak and puts him down.

The anchorperson further asserted that the "title sahiba isn’t derogatory" but "the attempt to use it as an insult is — not only to women but to everyone".

"Sahiba is used as a term of respect for women," he continued. 

"Who should be ashamed the person who was called "sahiba" or those who use the terms sahiba, khatoon, mohtarma and aurat to insult someone?" Shahzab asked.

Shahzeb further said that Pervez Musharraf has also used similar terms for Bilawal in the past.

"We cannot expect a political leader who is the prime minister of the country, has remained the country's biggest star, captain of the cricket team, led the team to the World Cup, represents Pakistan and who people want to be like, speak like and implement his actions. The person who people trust and wholeheartedly give donations to because he worked hard to establish a cancer hospital in the name of his mother — in the name of Shaukat Khanum Sahiba," he concluded.

Watch the video here: