JournalismPakistan.com | Published March 04, 2020
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ISLAMABAD—Journalists have come out in support of colleague Marvi Sirmed (pictured) after she and drama writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar were involved in an ugly match of abuses. They called for banning Qamar from appearing in talk shows.
The talk show on Aurat March and the slogan mera jism meri marzi turned acerbic after Rehman termed the slogan “filthy.” This led to a heated exchange with free use of abuses, mainly by Rehman.
Hasan Zaidi, Editor Magazines at Dawn was livid with what happened on the show. In a tweet, he said: “This degenerate asshole Khalil ur Rehman Qamar keeps lowering the bar every day. Why is he on TV as an analyst? What cred does he have to be speaking on issues in the first place?”
Raza Rumi, author and a former editor of Daily Times called for banning the drama writer from talk shows. “Solidarity with @marvisirmed - shameful, unacceptable conduct by someone who claims to be a 'writer') ( P.S. this guy needs professional help. The least TV channels can do is to ban him from the screens.).”
In tweet in Urdu, Umer Cheema of The News said he had never encountered such foulmouthed person in his life.
Abbas Nasir, a former editor of Dawn, saw a method in Khalil’s madness. “There may be method to Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar's madness i.e. upping his price as he becomes even more disgustingly controversial, obnoxious, abusive. The sad truth is he underlines the need for Aurat March, the issue it raises as his thoughts are not his alone but of many men.”
Actor Mahira Khan was also shocked. “I am shocked at what I have just heard and seen!! Sick to the core. This same man who abused a woman on tv is revered and given project after project because of what? We are as much to blame if not more for perpetuating this thinking!”
In a tweet, Marvi regretted that Khalil would continue to get airtime. “If such piece of crap was a playwright in a civilized media industry, he would have been boycotted and would be reduced to ashes. But this is our beloved Islamic Republic. The misogynist abuser won't have to face any consequences. He'd be welcomed by every media house.”
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